CORRELATIONS BETWEEN ENDOTHELIAL E-SELECTIN EXPRESSION IN SALIVARY-GLANDS AND CLINICAL OR BIOLOGICAL FEATURES IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSIS

Objectives. - A body of evidence suggests the pivotal role of endothel ial cells in the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis. E-selectin is an adhesion molecule specifically expressed by activated endothelial c ells. In previous studies we noticed that E-selectin was frequently ex pressed in the salivary gland tissue of patients with systemic scleros is. Moreover, E-selectin expression was detectable very early in the c ourse of the disease. To better define the role of E-selectin in the p athogenesis of systemic sclerosis, we conducted a study aimed at deter mining whether E-selectin expression was correlated to clinical and bi ological features in patients with systemic sclerosis. Methods. - Thir ty-one patients presenting with systemic sclerosis were included in th e study. The following parameters were systematically assessed: durati on and cutaneous extent of the disease, presence of secondary Sjogren' s syndrome, antinuclear antibodies, and pulmonary and esophagus involv ement. E-selectin expression was assessed by immunocytochemistry on mi nor labial salivary glands. Results. - E-selectin expression was detec ted in 21 out of 31 patients (67%). The disease duration was significa ntly shorter in patients with E-selectin expression (mean 9.1 +/- 8.5 years versus 4.2 +/- 3.3 years, P < 0.05). No significant difference w as found for other features. Conclusions, - This study shows that endo thelial E-selectin expression is mainly detectable early in the course of systemic sclerosis, when active and non-cicatricial sclerosis may be evidenced. No correlation was found between E-selectin expression a nd immunological disorders (antinuclear antibodies, secondary Sjogren' s syndrome). (C) 1998 Elsevier, Paris.