TY - JOUR
T1 - A vascular endothelial growth factor deficiency characterises
scleroderma lung disease
AU - De Santis, Mario
AU - Bosello, Silvia Laura
AU - Capoluongo, Ettore Domenico
AU - Inzitari, Rosanna
AU - Peluso, Giusy
AU - Lulli, Paola
AU - Zizzo, Gaetano
AU - Bocci, Mario
AU - Tolusso, Barbara
AU - Zuppi, Cecilia
AU - Castagnola, Massimo
AU - Ferraccioli, Gianfranco
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Objectives Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is thought to play
an important role in systemic sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis. It was found
to be upregulated in the serum and in the affected skin of scleroderma
patients. However, its involvement in scleroderma lung disease is not
clear. This study aimed to evaluate VEGF concentration in the
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of scleroderma patients with
interstitial lung disease, to correlate the cytokine levels in plasma
and in the lung with pulmonary functional, radiological and cellular
parameters, and with the progression of lung disease.
Methods BALF and plasma VEGF concentrations were analysed by ELISA in 55
SSc patients with lung disease and 17 controls. Cytokine real-time PCR
messenger RNA expression in alveolar macrophages was assessed. Lung
involvement progression was evaluated after a 1-year follow-up.
Results VEGF was found to be significantly lower in the BALF of
scleroderma patients compared with controls. The lowest concentrations
were observed in SSc patients with alveolitis. A decreased VEGF
expression in alveolar macrophages was found in SSc patients with
alveolitis. VEGF concentration in BALF correlated inversely with the
ground glass score on high-resolution CT and with BALF neutrophil cell
count. Moreover, SSc patients with a lower VEGF concentration showed a
worsening in the interstitial score at follow-up.
Conclusions Scleroderma interstitial lung disease is characterised by a
VEGF deficiency. Lower concentrations were found in patients with
progression of lung disease.
AB - Objectives Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is thought to play
an important role in systemic sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis. It was found
to be upregulated in the serum and in the affected skin of scleroderma
patients. However, its involvement in scleroderma lung disease is not
clear. This study aimed to evaluate VEGF concentration in the
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of scleroderma patients with
interstitial lung disease, to correlate the cytokine levels in plasma
and in the lung with pulmonary functional, radiological and cellular
parameters, and with the progression of lung disease.
Methods BALF and plasma VEGF concentrations were analysed by ELISA in 55
SSc patients with lung disease and 17 controls. Cytokine real-time PCR
messenger RNA expression in alveolar macrophages was assessed. Lung
involvement progression was evaluated after a 1-year follow-up.
Results VEGF was found to be significantly lower in the BALF of
scleroderma patients compared with controls. The lowest concentrations
were observed in SSc patients with alveolitis. A decreased VEGF
expression in alveolar macrophages was found in SSc patients with
alveolitis. VEGF concentration in BALF correlated inversely with the
ground glass score on high-resolution CT and with BALF neutrophil cell
count. Moreover, SSc patients with a lower VEGF concentration showed a
worsening in the interstitial score at follow-up.
Conclusions Scleroderma interstitial lung disease is characterised by a
VEGF deficiency. Lower concentrations were found in patients with
progression of lung disease.
KW - enothelial
KW - enothelial
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10807/33877
U2 - 10.1136/annrheumdis-2011-200657
DO - 10.1136/annrheumdis-2011-200657
M3 - Article
SN - 0003-4967
VL - 71
SP - 1461
EP - 1465
JO - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
JF - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
ER -