OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of antibodies to endothelial cells (aEC) from large vessel and from microvasculature in a group of patients with Behçet's disease (BD) to determine the relationship of these antibodies with clinical and laboratory features of the disease. METHODS: Thirty patients with BD were prospectively and consecutively studied. The aEC were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using endothelial cells derived from human umbilical vein (large vessel) as well as from retroperitoneal adipose tissue (microvasculature). RESULTS: Fifteen patients (50%) had aEC, either directed to large vessel [8(26%) patients] or microvascular [13(43%) patients] endothelial cells. The percentage of active patients was significantly higher in the aEC-positive group [12(80%) patients] compared with the aEC-negative group [5(33%) patients] (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BD have a high prevalence of aEC when microvascular endothelial cells are used in the assay. These antibodies seem to be a marker of disease activity in this condition, previously considered as negative for autoantibodies.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of antibodies to endothelial cells (aEC) from large vessel and from microvasculature in a group of patients with Behçet's disease (BD) to determine the relationship of these antibodies with clinical and laboratory features of the disease. METHODS: Thirty patients with BD were prospectively and consecutively studied. The aEC were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using endothelial cells derived from human umbilical vein (large vessel) as well as from retroperitoneal adipose tissue (microvasculature). RESULTS: Fifteen patients (50%) had aEC, either directed to large vessel [8(26%) patients] or microvascular [13(43%) patients] endothelial cells. The percentage of active patients was significantly higher in the aEC-positive group [12(80%) patients] compared with the aEC-negative group [5(33%) patients] (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Patients with BD have a high prevalence of aEC when microvascular endothelial cells are used in the assay. These antibodies seem to be a marker of disease activity in this condition, previously considered as negative for autoantibodies.
Authors: D P D'Cruz; F A Houssiau; G Ramirez; E Baguley; J McCutcheon; J Vianna; H J Haga; G T Swana; M A Khamashta; J C Taylor Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 1991-08 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: G Ferraro; P L Meroni; A Tincani; A Sinico; W Barcellini; A Radice; G Gregorini; M Froldi; M O Borghi; G Balestrieri Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 1990-01 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: R Cervera; M A Khamashta; J Font; G Ramírez; D D'Cruz; J Montalbán; A López-Soto; R A Asherson; M Ingelmo; G R Hughes Journal: Autoimmunity Date: 1991 Impact factor: 2.815
Authors: A O Aydìntug; G Tokgöz; D P D'Cruz; A Gürler; R Cervera; N Düzgün; L S Atmaca; M A Khamashta; G R Hughes Journal: Clin Immunol Immunopathol Date: 1993-05