Increased expression of CD25 and adhesion molecules on peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) and ANCA positive vasculitides.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes of 29 c-ANCA positive WG patients fulfilling the ACR classification criteria were examined for the expression of various leukocyte surface molecules by dual marker cytofluorometry (FACStar, Becton Dickinson). Activation markers such as CD25, HLA-DR, CD29 and adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and LFA-3) were clearly elevated in this group in comparison to 40 healthy volunteers. Similar results were obtained for p-ANCA positives vasculitides (n = 13) and, unexpectedly, also for patients suffering from cholesteatoma, a chronic, bacterial infection of the middle ear (n = 21). The results are discussed in view of a pathogenic model for WG and vasculitic disorders.