Pathogenesis-related adhesion molecules in Henoch-Schonlein vasculitis.

The aim of this study was to reveal the distribution of various inflammation and endothelium-related adhesion molecules, namely, P-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM-1, ICAM-2, ICAM-3 and VCAM-1, on the skin samples of patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Skin biopsies obtained from 12 pediatric patients at the acute purpura phase and from 5 patients at the convalescent phase of the disease were included in the study. Endothelial expression of P-selectin (P < 0.05), endothelial and inflammatory cellular expressions of ICAM-2 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and inflammatory cellular expression of ICAM-3 (P < 0.05) were significantly more intense when compared to patients in the convalescent phase. Although endothelial E-selectin and VCAM-1 expressions, and endothelial and inflammatory cellular ICAM-1 expressions displayed a decrease in the convalesant phase, this difference was not found to be statistically significant (P > 0.05).