Fischer Katarzyna, Przepiera-Będzak Hanna, Sawicki Marcin, Brzosko Maciej, Brzosko Marek
Independent Laboratory of Rheumatic Diagnostics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland.
Department of Internal Diseases, Rheumatology, Diabetology, Geriatrics and Clinical Immunology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland.
J Clin Med. 2025 Jul 19;14(14):5133. doi: 10.3390/jcm14145133.
: This study was conducted to analyze the associations between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) serum concentrations and immunological biomarkers, inflammatory parameters, classical atherosclerosis risk factors, and cardiovascular manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. : The project included 83 individuals suffering from SLE, with 20 healthy individuals as controls. The serum levels of VEGF were determined through the ELISA method using R&D Systems tests. Laboratory markers, autoantibody profiles, traditional atherosclerotic risk factors, and organ manifestations were evaluated. Atherosclerotic changes were determined based on several indices including carotid intima-media thickness, ankle-brachial index and high resistance index assessments. : The reference range of serum VEGF concentrations was established based on the 25th and 75th percentiles obtained in the controls. High VEGF levels were significantly correlated with the presence of selected anti-phospholipid antibodies such as anti-prothrombin (OR = 10.7; 95%CI: 2.1-53.4) and anti-beta2 glycoprotein I (OR = 3.5; 95%CI: 1.1-10.8), as well as cardiac disorders (OR = 8.0; 95%CI: 1.6-39.5). On the other hand, low concentrations of VEGF were significantly related to lower frequencies of anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies (OR = 0.31; 95%CI: 0.11-0.91) and anti-endothelial cell antibodies (OR = 0.30; 95%CI: 0.11-0.85). Patients with low VEGF levels showed significantly reduced risks of atherosclerotic lesions (OR = 0.24; 95%CI: 0.04-0.99) and vasculitis development (OR = 0.17; 95%CI = 0.03-0.91). : In conclusion, VEGF's pathogenetic role in SLE and SLE-related atherothrombosis is manifested in close correlation with aPLs which may enhance their direct impact on endothelium. High VEGF levels are helpful for identifying cardiovascular risk in patients, while low concentrations indicate lower disease activity, as well as a lower risk of organ involvement.
本研究旨在分析系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）患者血清血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）浓度与免疫生物标志物、炎症参数、经典动脉粥样硬化危险因素及心血管表现之间的关联。该项目纳入了83例SLE患者，并选取20例健康个体作为对照。采用R&D Systems检测试剂盒，通过酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）法测定VEGF血清水平。评估实验室指标、自身抗体谱、传统动脉粥样硬化危险因素及器官表现。基于包括颈动脉内膜中层厚度、踝臂指数和高阻力指数评估等多项指标来确定动脉粥样硬化改变。根据对照组第25和第75百分位数确定血清VEGF浓度的参考范围。高VEGF水平与某些抗磷脂抗体的存在显著相关，如抗凝血酶原抗体（OR = 10.7；95%CI：2.1 - 53.4）和抗β2糖蛋白I抗体（OR = 3.5；95%CI：1.1 - 10.8），以及心脏疾病（OR = 8.0；95%CI：1.6 - 39.5）。另一方面，低浓度VEGF与抗双链DNA抗体（OR = 0.31；95%CI：0.11 - 0.91）和抗内皮细胞抗体（OR = 0.30；95%CI：0.11 - 0.85）的较低频率显著相关。VEGF水平低的患者动脉粥样硬化病变风险（OR = 0.24；95%CI：0.04 - 0.99）和血管炎发生风险（OR = 0.17；95%CI = 0.03 - 0.91）显著降低。总之，VEGF在SLE及SLE相关动脉粥样硬化血栓形成中的致病作用表现为与抗磷脂抗体密切相关，这可能增强它们对内皮的直接影响。高VEGF水平有助于识别患者的心血管风险；而低浓度则表明疾病活动度较低，以及器官受累风险较低。
