PMID: 11908131Mar 23, 2002Paper

Anti-endothelial cell antibodies in chronic leg ulcer: prevalence and significance

Annales de dermatologie et de vénéréologie
G GuilletPierre Youinou

Abstract

Anti-endothelial cell antibodies are detected in auto-immune vasculitis and connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma, with possible pathogenic involvement. We looked for these antibodies in patients presenting chronic ulcers. Eighty patients were tested: 35 presented vascular ulcers (27 of venous origin and 8 arterial). A control group of 14 patients with connective tissue disease and vasculitis was formed, and a third group included 31 patients without vascular or immune disease. Their sera were tested by ELISA technique on EAhy 926 cell (obtained from hybridization of human endothelial and line A 549/8 cells). Blood tests were positive in 37.5 p. 100 of patients. Antibodies were present in 48.5 p. 100 of patients with leg ulcers (of which 59 p. 100 (16/27) venous ulcers). Fifty-seven per cent of the autoimmune group and 12 p. 100 of the third group were positive. Association with anti-phospholipid antibodies was observed twice in leg ulcers. The level of antibodies was higher in patients with leg ulcers. The presence of high levels of anti-endothelial cells antibodies in 48.5 p. 100 of patients presenting leg ulcers shows that these antibodies are not specific to autoimmune diseases. Since they are involved in coagulati...Continue Reading

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