AB0412 Plasma levels of angiogenic factors – association with clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Authors: M. Madej, B. Nowak, A. Luczak, L. Korman, P. Wiland
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> The data concerning systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and angiogenesis are relatively limited. Most of them are focused on the activity of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as the key regulator of the angiogenesis. However other cytokines involved in the new vessels formation are also studied e.g. angiopoietin-2, endothelin-1, E-selectin. In SLE recent studies indicate the relation of different angiogenic factors with disease activity, skin manifestations, renal involvement or abnormal capillaroscopic findings [1,2,3]. <h3>Objectives</h3> To evaluate the serum concentrations of angiogenic factors and the relationships among them. To asses relations of their levels with disease activity and organ involvement in SLE patients. <h3>Methods</h3> Serum levels of VEGF, fibroblast growth factor 2(FGF-2), angiopoietn-1 (Ang-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and endostatin were assessed by ELISA in a group of 22 patients with SLE and 25 healthy controls. Clinical examination and basic laboratory tests to asses disease activity were performed. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 22 SLE patients (20 women, 2 men,) with mean age 45.3±13.4 years were enrolled in the study. Mean disease duration was 9.2±6.0 months. The levels of VEGF (49.4 vs 39.3), FGF-2 (256.5 vs 93.9), Ang-2 (6.3 vs 3.4) and endostatin (172.0 vs 126.0) were significantly higher in SLE patients than in healthy populatin. Only Ang-1 concentrations did not differ between SLE patient and healthy control. There was no significant correlation among angiogenic factors except strong positive correlation between Ang-1 and VEGF (R=0.63). Non of the angiogenic cytokines correlated with laboratory markers of disease activity (ESR, C3, C4, complete blood count). Higher level of endostatin in patients with renal involvement (proteinuria, microscopic haematuria) due to SLE, then in those with normal renal function (201.4±66.9 vs 155.2±37.6) was noted. Ang-2 levels were significantly higher in SLE patients with skin involvement (excluding skin changes due to vasculitis) (10.8±10.5 vs 4.9±3.0). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our results confirm earlier facts indicating the involvement of angiogenesis in the SLE pathogenesis. We showed significant difference in angiogenic activity of the sera from SLE patients and healthy population. Our data are in some fields similar with earlier, suggesting that Ang-2 may be a useful marker of disease activity in SLE. However in present study we did not show the relation between Ang-2 and proteinuria or components of the complement system. The presented data confirm the necessity of further study on the role of angiogenic factors in the pathogenesis of SLE. <h3>References</h3> El-Banawy HS, Gaber EW, Maharem DA, Matrawy KA. J Nephrol. 2012 Jul-Aug;25(4):541-50. Salama MK, Taha FM, Safwat M et al. Immunol Invest. 2012;41(8):864-75. MoneibHA, SalemSA, Aly DG et al. J Dermatol. 2012 Jan;39(1):52-7. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> M. Madej Grant/research support from: Wroclaw Medica University, ST557, B. Nowak: None Declared, A. Luczak: None Declared, L. Korman: None Declared, P. Wiland: None Declared