Elevated levels of circulating immunostimulatory 90K in Henoch-Schoenlein purpura

In order to clarify the immunologic reaction present in Henoch-Schoenlein p urpura (HSP), 20 children (11 boys and 9 girls; median age, 5.8 +/- 2.8 yea rs) with HSP and 20 sex- and age-matched healthy children were studied. The 90K/Mac-2 BP serum concentrations were significantly higher in the patient s than in the healthy controls (12.5 +/- 75 vs 4.5 +/- 2.7 mu g/ml, respect ively; P < 0.0001). 90K/Mac-2 BP values higher than the cutoff value were o bserved in 13 of 20 (65%) patient. The soluble intercellular adhesion molec ule 1 concentrations were significantly higher in HSP patients than control s (P < 0.0001). with mean values of 1631 +/- 703 and 85 +/- 16 ng/ml, respe ctively. The 90K/Mac-2 BP serum levels were significantly correlated with s oluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (r = 0.90, P < 0.0001). Although t he underlying causes of these immunological abnormalities are unclear, thes e observations suggest that the 90K/Mac-2 BP protein may play a role in the immunological reactions involved in the development of HSP.