Assessment of anti-endothelial cell antibodies in systemic sclerosis and Sjogren's syndrome

Abstract

Objectives - Anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) have been detected in 19 to 30% of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The objective of this study was first to assess the role of a secondary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) in the occurrence of AECA in SSc. Secondly, we researched AEGA in patients with primary SS, and investigated whether AECA were associated with vascular manifestations (Raynaud's phenomenon and vasculitis). Methods - IgG-AECA were tested by an ELISA method in serum samples from 50 patients with SSc (16 of them had also a secondary Ss), 50 patients with primary SS, and 50 healthy controls. Results - AECA levels were significantly higher in patients with SSc or primary SS than in healthy controls (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). In patients with SSc, AECA values were significantly higher in patients with secondary SS (p < 10-5). In patients with primary SS, AECA levels were significantly higher in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (p < 0.01), but not in patients with vasculitis. Conclusion - In patients with SSc, AEGA are associated with a secondary SS. In patients with primary SS, AECA are associated with Raynaud's phenomenon, but not with vasculitis.