Article
Assessment of endothelial microparticles in relation to fluorescence optical imaging in patients with systemic sclerosis and raynaud’s phenomenon
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Published: | September 12, 2014 |
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Background: Microparticles (MP) are small membrane vesicles, released from activated, damaged and apoptotic cells. Endothelial MP (EMP) can be characterized by the presence of endothelial-specific surface antigens. They do not only reflect ongoing damage or activation of endothelium but also actively modulate processes in inflammation, coagulation and vascular function. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic, autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by vasculopathy and microvascular changes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the number of EMP in relation to inflammation and functional vascular imaging.
Methods: EMPs were quantified in plasma samples of 25 patients (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 (Xiralite, Mivenion, Berlin, Germany). 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<.05). While there was no significant correlation between both EMP and endothelial function, there was a strong association between CD62+EMP and perivascular soft tissue inflammation as assessed by FOI global score (Spearman, p=0.002, r=0.61).
Conclusion: Circulating EMP concentrations are decreased in patients with SSc and raynaud’s phenomenon. However, higher counts for EMP representing endothelial activation (CD62) within the patient cohort are associated with perivascular inflammation and vascular leakage.