Serum ELAM-1 is increased in vasculitis, scleroderma, and systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the state of endothelial cell activation in vasculitis, scleroderma, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We used a sandwich ELISA to quantitate a soluble form of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (sELAM) in serum. RESULTS: sELAM was detected in serum from healthy individuals (mean 0.92 ng/ml). Levels were significantly higher in patients with giant cell arteritis (mean 2.04 ng/ml), polyarteritis nodosa (mean 2.08 ng/ml), scleroderma (mean 2.27 ng/ml), and SLE (mean 3.93 ng/ml). Elevated values were present in patients with both active and inactive disease. sELAM levels of > 3 ng/ml identified most patients with recent onset or active disease. CONCLUSION: Our findings may reflect a low degree of endothelial cell activation in healthy persons that is increased in inflammatory diseases involving blood vessels. Elevated serum sELAM levels may reflect ongoing inflammatory processes in these diseases.