Increased serum levels of soluble L-selectin (CD62L) in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

The adhesion molecule L-selectin (CD62L) mediates lymphocyte recirculation and leucocyte rolling on vascular endothelium at sites of inflammation. Ser um levels of soluble l-selectin (sL-selectin) were measured in patients wit h SLE in order to relate these levels to clinical activity and immunologica l parameters. An ELISA was used to detect the soluble form of human L-selec tin (CD62L) in 42 patients with SLE and in 33 healthy individuals. The mean +/- s.e.m. values of sL-selectin were 1285 +/- 121 ng/ml for patients with SLE and 986 +/- 180 ng/ml for healthy blood donors, but there was no signi ficant difference. When patients with active SLE were analysed, higher leve ls of circulating sL-selectin were found when compared with patients withou t activity (1497 +/- 167 ng/ml versus 941 +/- 150 ng/ml; P = 0.028). We fou nd a significant correlation between the levels of sL-selectin and of dsDNA antibodies (r = 0.36, P = 0.044) and between levels of sL-selectin and SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score (r = 0.42, P = 0.003). Patients with active SLE studied cross-sectionally showed significant elevations of sL-s electin (CD62L) compared with controls. Thus, the levels of this soluble ad hesion molecule correlated with active disease and levels of anti-dsDNA ant ibodies.