Longitudinal study of rheumatoid arthritis patients discloses sustained elevated serum levels of soluble CD106 (V-CAM).

OBJECTIVE To appreciate the evolution of serum angiogenic and/or adhesion molecules levels during a long term follow-up of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS Serum levels of 5 soluble adhesion/angiogenesis glycoproteins (VEGF, CD31, CD54, CD62E, CD106) were measured in Elisa in samples collected over 6 years in a cohort of 43 RA patients with monitored clinical parameters of disease activity and severity. RESULTS RA patients had significantly higher levels (p < 0.0001) of sCD106 (VCAM-1) than control subjects. Conversely, the levels of soluble VEGF, CD31, CD54 and CD62E were normal or lower than normal. No statistically significant time effect was noted. No effect either was noted as related to the therapeutic agents taken by the patients. CONCLUSION The sustained elevated serum levels of sCD106 observed here imply that this molecule might be related to the chronicity and progression of RA.