CIRCULATING ADHESION MOLECULES ICAM-1, E-SELECTIN, AND VON-WILLEBRAND-FACTOR IN HENOCH-SCHONLEIN PURPURA

Adhesion molecules play an important part in leucocyte transendothelia l migration and thus may provide a useful marker of surface expression at inflammatory sites. In 20 patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura a dhesion molecule E-selectin, and plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) we re determined by ELISA during the active and inactive phase of the Twe lve healthy children were as a control group. Serum ICAM-1 concentrati ons increased during the active phase of the disease and differed sign ificantly compared with the inactive phase (p<0.05). However ICAM-1 in the active phase did not differ significantly compared with controls (p=0.08). Serum E-selectin concentrations did not differ in the active and inactive phase of the disease. By contrast, vWF increased in the active phase of the disease and differed significantly compared with i nactive disease and control groups (p<0.01). Considering the adhesion molecules and vWF, only vWF correlated well with the C reactive protei n measurement in the active phase, which is considered a good marker o f disease activity. These data suggest that plasma vWF is a good marke r of vascular inflammation and endothelial damage. Circulating ICAM-1 might be an additional parameter in some of the patients.