Endothelin-1 serum levels correlate with MCP-1 but not with homocysteine plasma concentration in patients with systemic sclerosis

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of rheumatology 2006-04, Vol.35 (2), p.133-137
• Main Authors: Peterlana, D., Puccetti, A., Caramaschi, P., Biasi, D., Beri, R., Simeoni, S., Corrocher, R., Lunardi, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; Chemokine CCL2 - blood; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Endothelin-1 - blood; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Homocysteine - blood; Humans; Hyperhomocysteinemia - blood; Hyperhomocysteinemia - etiology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Scleroderma, Systemic - blood; Scleroderma, Systemic - complications
• ISSN: 0300-9742; 1502-7732
• DOI: 10.1080/03009740500385584

Objectives: To determine whether homocysteine (Hcy) plasma levels are correlated with molecules indicative of endothelial cell and fibroblast activation, including endothelin-1 (ET-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and -3 (MCP-1, MCP-3), in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods: Eighty-two patients were enrolled in this study; the control group included 75 age- and sex-matched subjects. Plasma Hcy was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography; folic acid, and vitamin B12 plasma levels were determined by a chemiluminescence method. ET-1, MCP-1, and MCP-3 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Analysis of the 677C→T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and digestion with the enzyme HinfI. Results: Hcy levels were lower in patients whereas ET-1 was significantly higher in patients and correlated with MCP-1. Stratification of the patients on the basis of Hcy levels was not associated with any statistical difference in the concentration of ET-1, MCP-1, and MCP-3. Patients with diffuse disease presented the highest levels of ET-1 and MCP-1. The distribution of the MTHFR genotypes was not different in patients and controls. Conclusions: In SSc, Hcy plasma concentration does not influence ET-1, MCP-1, or MCP-3 levels. On the contrary, ET-1, a marker of vascular activation, correlates with MCP-1, a chemokine involved in the fibrotic process of SSc.