Eosinophil activation in systemic sclerosis

Circulating levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were increased 4‐fold in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) compared with those in healthy control subjects. There was no correlation between the ECP concentrations and laboratory indices of inflammatory activity or visceral involvement. Me...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Arthritis and rheumatism 1991-04, Vol.34 (4), p.414-422
Main Authors: Gustafsson, Rolf, Hällgren, Roger, Fredens, Kjeld, Nettelbladt, Otto
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Biopsy
Blood Proteins - metabolism
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - metabolism
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - pathology
Environmental Exposure
Eosinophil Granule Proteins
Eosinophils - metabolism
Eosinophils - pathology
Extracellular Space - metabolism
Female
Humans
Inflammation
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Ribonucleases
Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis
Scleroderma, Systemic - blood
Scleroderma, Systemic - pathology
Silicon Dioxide - adverse effects
Skin - metabolism
Skin - pathology
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Summary:Circulating levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were increased 4‐fold in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) compared with those in healthy control subjects. There was no correlation between the ECP concentrations and laboratory indices of inflammatory activity or visceral involvement. Mean ECP levels were higher in patients with a history of occupational exposure to silica, even though patients who had no such history also had ECP levels higher than normal. The patients had increased bronchoalveolar levels of ECP, which correlated with impaired lung functioning. Skin infiltration with activated eosinophils and extracellular deposits of ECP were present in skin biopsy samples from the SSc patients. We conclude that eosinophil activation is part of the inflammatory process in SSc.
ISSN:0004-3591
1529-0131
DOI:10.1002/art.1780340406