Platelet activation markers and soluble adhesion molecules in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

We assessed the role of platelet activation markers (PMP5, Annexin V and CD62P on activated platelets). cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-gamma. GM-CSE and TNF alpha), and soluble factors (sIL-2R. TM, sHLA-1. beta (2)-m, sVCAM-1. sPECAM-1, sP-selectin and sE-selectin) in vascular damage related to SLE, There were differences in the levels of PMPs and platelet activation markers: between the SLE patients and controls (PMPs: 493 +/- 82 vs. 328 +/- 36. p<0.05: plt-CD62P: 8.5%1.2% vs. 4.6%+/-0.7%, p<0.05: plt-Annexin V: 11.3%2.1% vs. 4.9%+/-0.6%, p<0.01). There were no differences in the levels of IFN- between the groups. However, the levels of IL-1 beta, IL-4. IL-6, GM-CSE TNF alpha, and soluble factors were higher in the SLE patients than in the controls. The levels of IL-3. IL-6, beta (2)-m. sIL-2R. sVCAM-1. sP-selectin, and sE-selectin in SLE patients with elevated sTM levels were higher than those in the SLE patients without elevated sTM levels. On the other hand, elevations of sIL-2R, sVCAM-1. and sP-selectin were not found in patients with Behcet disease or rheumatoid arthritis. The levels of platelet CD62P, platelet annexin V,and PMP were significantly elevated in high-sTM patients. These findings suggest the possibility that activated platelets and cytokines participate in the pathogenesis of SLE in patients with elevated sTM levels.