Session Information
Title: Systemic Sclerosis, Fibrosing Syndromes and Raynaud’s – Pathogenesis, Animal Models and Genetics
Session Type: Abstract Submissions (ACR)
Background/Purpose: systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by tissue hypoxia and excessive fibrosis of skin and internal organs. The present study was planned to evaluate the possible role of angiogenesis imbalance in the pathogenesis of SSc.
Methods: 25 SSc patients, 20 age and sex matched healthy controls were included. Assay of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin was done for all patients and controls using ELISA. Patients were subjected to modified Rodnan skin score (mRss), pulmonary function tests (PFTS), and skin biopsies for histopathological skin thickness score assessment.
Results: There was significant increase in the mean levels of serum VEGF and endostatin in SSc patients compared to controls (t=4.07, p<0.001), mean values of serum endostatin is significantly increased in late compared to early stage of disease (t=6.65, p<0.01). A significant positive correlation was found between serum levels of endostatin, mRss and histopathological skin thickness score (r=0.99, 0.94 respectively p<0.01). SSc patients with ischemic manifestations had significantly higher levels of serum endostatin compared to those without ischemic manifestations (t=6.27, p<0.001). SSc patients with restricted PFTS had significantly higher levels of serum endostatin compared to those without pulmonary affection (t=4.3, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Angiogenic inhibitor (endostatin) is induced and outweighs angiogenic inducer (VEGF) in late stage of SSc. Increased serum endostatin is associated with skin sclerosis severity and pulmonary fibrosis and favors SSc disease progression.
Disclosure:
N. Y. Assaf,
None;
H. M. Farouk,
None;
I. M. Aly,
None.
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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/dysregulation-of-angiogenic-homeostasis-in-systemic-sclerosis/