Enhanced levels of soluble VCAM-1 in sickle cell patients and their specific increment during vasoocclusive crisis.

Adhesion of sickle erythrocytes to vascular endothelium plays a central role in sickle cell disease complications. Cytokines and adhesion molecules are critically involved in the regulation of these adhesive processes. To analyze their role, IL-6, GM-CSF, sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, sE-Selectin, and sP-Selectin serum levels were determined in sickle cell patients under basic conditions and during vasoocclusive crisis. In nonsymptomatic patients a high serum level of sVCAM-1 was observed compared to controls. In patients having vasoocclusive crisis sVCAM-1 levels increased even more and seemed to correlate with crisis evolution.