Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 indicates SLE disease activity and specific organ involvement.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by immune complex deposits and subsequent vascular inflammation in many organs. Activated endothelial cells are a major source of VCAM-1. The levels of soluble VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1) are elevated in SLE and have been found to be associated with disease activity and damage organ especially renal involvement.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association among serum levels of sVCAM-1 and anti-dsDNA antibodies and its correlation with SLE disease activity.

Methods: The study sample included 69 consecutive and unselected patients with SLE. Plasma samples were collected for the determination of sVCAM-1 and anti-dsDNA by ELISA, C3 and C4 by nephelometry. Disease activity was defined by the SLE Disease Active Index score (SLEDAI > or = 4).

Results: Elevated levels of sVCAM-1 (ng/dL) were seen in active compared to inactive (1009 +/- 54 vs 446 +/- 33) SLE patients (p < 0.05). Soluble sVCAM-1 levels correlated with measures of overall disease activity SLEDAI score (r = 0.67, p < 0.0001) while dsDNA antibodies had a correlate of r(s) = 0.29, p < 0.01. In patients with renal, hematological and vascular activity, levels of sVCAM-1 were different and statistically significant. For dsDNA antibodies this difference was only observed in the patients with renal activity.

Conclusions: The data presented suggest that clinical forms of SLE differ form each other in respect to concentration of sVCAM-1 specially in patients with active renal, hematological and vascular involvement , whereas dsDNA antibodies levels were only in active renal group. sVCAM-1 levels may be useful to monitor both systemic and organ specific activity in LES.