Abstract

Background: Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin are adhesion molecules considered as markers of underlying endothelial damage. They may contribute to the development of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and have been proposed as prognostic biomarkers in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) [1]. Although ILD has become the main cause of death in patients with autoimmune diseases (AD) [2], studies on the involvement of ICAM-1 and E-selectin in AD-ILD⁺ are scarce.

Objectives: To establish the role of ICAM-1 and E-selectin in the pathogenesis of AD-ILD⁺.

Methods: Peripheral venous blood was collected from 57 patients with AD-ILD⁺ and three comparative groups: 45 AD-ILD^- patients, 21 IPF patients and 21 healthy controls (HC). ICAM-1 and E-selectin serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Higher levels of ICAM-1 and E-selectin were found in patients with AD-ILD⁺ compared to AD-ILD^- patients (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively) and HC (p<0.001 in both cases). Likewise, IPF patients showed increased levels of ICAM-1 and E-selectin in relation to AD-ILD^- patients (p<0.001 and p=0.002, respectively) and HC (p<0.001 in both cases). Nevertheless, no statistically significant difference was observed in ICAM-1 and E-selectin concentrations between AD-ILD⁺ and IPF patients.

Conclusions: ICAM-1 and E-selectin serum levels may be linked to the presence of interstitial lung disease in patients with autoimmune diseases.

References: [1] Eur Respir J 2019;54(3):1900295; [2] Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2018;14(1):69-82.

Personal funds, VP-C and SR-M:RD16/0012/0009(ISCIII-ERDF); RL-M:CP16/00033 (ISCIII-ESF).