ANTIENDOTHELIAL CELL ANTIBODIES, ENDOTHELIAL PROLIFERATION AND VON-WILLEBRAND-FACTOR ANTIGEN IN BEHCETS-DISEASE

Endothelial cell dysfunction has previously been demonstrated in Behce t's disease which has vasculitic features. In this study we investigat ed antiendothelial cell antibodies (AECA)and von Willebrand factor ant igen (vWF) levels in patients with Behcet's disease. In vitro effects of patient sera on endothelial cell proliferation were also evaluated. AECAs were present in 29% of 70 Behcet's disease patients (Binding In dex: 25+/-29% vs 9+/-7% in normal controls, p < 0.005). 95% of AECA po sitive patients were clinically active compared to 74% of AECA negativ e patients (p=0.04). Among specific organ manifestations only active a rthritis correlated with AECA positivity (6 of 7 patients vs 14 of 63, p=0.002). AECA positive patients had a significantly higher mean ESR (37+/-24 mm/h vs 21+/-17 mm/h, p:0.006). Mean vWF levels were also sig nificantly higher in patients compared to controls (166+/-75% vs 84+/- 34%, p < 0.0001), No correlations were observed between AECA titres an d vWF levels. No significant differences were observed between patient s and controls when endothelial cell proliferation was studied (Prolif eration Index: 1.25+/-0.28 vs 1.12+/-0.25, p=0.5). Our results suggest that AECA may be related to disease activity in Behcet's disease. The presence of vWF, even in patients in complete remission, might be rel ated to factors other than endothelial damage for vWF release from end othelial cells.