Article Text
Abstract
Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune rheumatic disease with unknown etiology that characterized fibrosis and vascular endotelial damage with obliteration of the microvasculature caused from exaggerated syntesis of collagen and extracellular matrix deposition in skin and internal organs. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) accepted as a vascular inflammatory marker which secreted in early stage of endothelial dysfunction.
Objectives In this study, we aimed to investigate plasma PTX3 and serum complement C1q levels and their relations with cytokines and pulmonary arterial pressure in SSc.
Methods Fifty nine patients diagnosed SSc and 28 subjects without inflammatory rheumatic disease recruited to the study. Plasma PTX3, and serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-10, INF-γ, TGF-β and complement C1q measured in both groups. Clinical findings and pulmonary arterial pressure of the SSc patients assessed.
Results Ages of fifty nine with SSc (54 female and 5 male) and 28 control subjects (23 female and 5 male) were 49,47±12.74 and 43,07±13,71 respectively. PTX3, IL-1β and IL-4 levels found decreased in SSc patients. There were no differentiations between limited and diffuse cutaneous SSc subgroups in terms of PTX3, cytikines and C1q levels. Plasma PTX3 and serum IL-1β concentrations found decreased only limited cutaneous SSc subgroup comparing controls. According to the immunosupressive drugs use; PTX3 levels found decreased in using group and TNF-α ve IL-1β levels found decreased in not using group comparing controls. Significant positive association found between PTX3 and C1q and all cytokines except TGF- β.
Conclusions PTX3 suggested to be used in the pathogenesis and assessment of disease treatment efficacy of SSc, because of found decreased in SSc patients especially in limited cutaneous and immunosupressive drugs using subgroups. Associations between C1q, and PTX3 and pulmonary artey pressure highlighted possible roles of both parameters in development of pulmonary hypertension. It is possible to develop preventive treatment strategies with better understanding of these associations. Advanced studies should be carried out for clarifying this condition.
Disclosure of Interest None declared