PECAM-1 gene polymorphisms and soluble PECAM-1 level in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus patients: any link with clinical atherosclerotic events?

Abstract

Genetic polymorphisms of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) were found to play roles in atherosclerotic events. We determined PECAM-1 polymorphisms, soluble PECAM-1, and CD40L levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and evaluated their associations with clinical atherosclerotic complications. We included 100 RA patients, 81 SLE patients, and 94 healthy controls. The clinical features about the patients were obtained from medical records. Past cardiovascular complications were recorded. The most frequent gene polymorphisms of PECAM-1 were studied in our genetics laboratory. Soluble PECAM-1 and CD40L levels in serum were determined with ELISA. The frequencies of 373C (rs668) and 1688A (rs12953) alleles were higher in RA patients when compared to controls (p values, 0.028 and 0.016). RA and SLE patients had significantly higher allele frequencies for 2008A (rs1131012) when compared to controls (p values, 0.016 and 0.001). SLE patients had significantly more frequent AA genotype for rs1131012 polymorphism than RA patients and controls (p values, 0.007 and <0.001). Soluble PECAM-1 level was significantly higher in RA patients than in SLE patients and healthy controls (p values <0.001). Atherosclerotic complications were more frequent in SLE patients with AG genotype (rs12953) than those with AA genotype (p = 0.021). SLE patients with CC genotype (rs668) had a significantly lower frequency of atherosclerotic complications than those with CG genotype (p = 0.045). Nevertheless, in multivariate analysis, there was no association between genotype and atherosclerotic complications. We found associations between various PECAM-1 polymorphisms in RA and SLE; PECAM-1 and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) levels were significantly higher in RA patients than in SLE and control groups. PECAM-1 polymorphisms in SLE were protective against atherosclerotic complications.

Differentially Expressed Genes of Natural Killer Cells Can Distinguish Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients from Healthy Controls

“…Nevertheless, another adhesion molecule, PECAM-1, was significantly upregulated in the NK cells of RA patients. This finding is in line with a similar study reporting high levels of serum-soluble PECAM-1 in RA patients [42]. In NK cells, PECAM-1 was found to play a crucial role in NK cell extravasation into tissues and inflammatory sites [43].…”

Adhesion molecules: a way to understand lupus

“…In another study, however, sPECAM level was found to be not different from the control group [ 61 ]. Discrepancies in the studies make it difficult to reach a final conclusion, and the role of PECAM-1 as a biomarker of endothelial injury in lupus is not established yet.…”

“…A few studies that have investigated the relationship between PECAM-1 levels in patients with SLE found PECAM-1 elevated [ 27 ], but this has not been confirmed by the results of all the studies [ 61 ].…”

Salvia miltiorrhiza injection ameliorates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via downregulation of PECAM-1

“…Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1, also known as CD31) is highly expressed in blood platelets. Studies have revealed that PECAM-1 is involved in heart development, and in adults, PECAM-1 influences the prognosis of cardiovascular disease via inflammatory response and the regulation of endothelium integrity [14]. Increased expression of PECAM-1 has been associated with poor prognosis of myocardial infarction [15].…”