Comparison of LOXL-2 Expression between Active Systematic Scleroderma and Active Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / 中国医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the expression of lysyl oxidase like protein?2(LOXL?2)in the sera of patients with active systemic scleroder?ma(SSc)and mixed connective tissue disease(MCTD). Methods An enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay was adopted to measure LOXL?2 in the serum of 20 patients with active SSc,20 patients with active MCTD,and 20 healthy controls. The measurements among different groups was com?pared,and correlations between LOXL?2 levels and clinical manifestations of SSc and MCTD were examined. Results The levels of LOXL?2 ex?pression in MCTD and SSc groups were significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.05 for all groups). LOXL?2 expression is also related to the presence of skin lesions in SSc(r=0.982 P=0.001). Conclusion High serum level of LOXL?2 in these patients with active SSc and active MCTD suggests that LOXL?2 may be involved in the process of fibrosis and the resulting vasculitis in multiple organs.