title: The association between endothelial microparticles and inflammation in patients with systemic sclerosis and Raynaud's phenomenon as detected by functional imaging.
abstract: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic, autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by vasculopathy and microvascular changes. Fluorescence Optical Imaging (FOI) is a technique used to assess inflammation in patients with arthritis; in this study FOI is used to quantify inflammation in the hand. Endothelial Microparticle (EMP) can reflect damage or activation of the endothelium but also actively modulate processes of inflammation, coagulation and vascular function. The aim of the present study was to quantify EMP and FOI, to determine an association between these microparticles and inflammation and to endothelial function.
  
  
  METHODS
  EMP were quantified in plasma samples of 25 patients (24 female, 1 male, age: 41 ± 9 years) with SSc using flow cytometry. EMP was defined as CD31+/CD42- MP, and CD62+ MP. Perivascular inflammation was assessed using fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) of the hand. Macrovascular endothelial function was non-invasively estimated using the Endopat system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma levels of CD31+/CD42- EMP and CD62+ EMP were lower in patients with SSc compared to controls (both p <  0.05). An impaired endothelial function with an increased hyperemia index was observed. A strong association could be demonstrated between CD62+ EMP and perivascular soft tissue inflammation as assessed by the FOI global score (Spearman, p = 0.002, r = 0.61).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EMP indicate molecular vascular damage in SSc; in this study a strong association between EMP and perivascular inflammation as quantified by FOI is demonstrated. Consequently EMP, using FOI, may be a potential marker benefitting the diagnosis and therapy monitoring of patients with SSc with associated Raynaud's phenomenon.
authors.affiliation: Jena University Hospital, Clinic of Internal Medicine I, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Jena University Hospital, Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Drummer
authors.affiliation: Jena University Hospital, Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oelzner
authors.affiliation: Jena University Hospital, Clinic of Internal Medicine I, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Figulla
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, SRH Wald-Klinikum Gera gGmbH, Straße des Friedens, Gera, Germany.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boettcher
authors.affiliation: Jena University Hospital, Clinic of Internal Medicine I, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franz
authors.affiliation: Jena University Hospital, Clinic of Internal Medicine I, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Betge
authors.affiliation: Jena University Hospital, Clinic of Internal Medicine I, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foerster
authors.affiliation: Jena University Hospital, Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Gunter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.affiliation: Jena University Hospital, Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pfeil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Systemic sclerosis; endothelial microparticles; fluorescence optical imaging; microcirculation