Serum vascular endothelial growth factor in collagen diseases: correlation with disease activity

ABSTRACT

A role for angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] in the pathogenesis of collagen diseases through endothelial cell modulation has been suggested. Assessment of serum VEGF level in rheumatoid arthritis [RA], systemic sclerosis [SSc] and systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] patients to elucidate the potential involvement of VEGF in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Also, to find out a relation between its serum level and the disease activity or the functional impairment in those patients The serum level of VEGF was assessed in 10 RA patients; 10 SSc patients; 10 SLE patients as well as 10 healthy volunteers. Its level was correlated to the different clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity and functional impairment in the patients. When compared with the control group, each group of patients showed a significantly higher concentration [p<0.001] of serum VEGF. A statistically significant correlation was found between this higher concentration and disease activity in RA and SLE patients as well as the development of lung fibrosis in SSc patients. The results of this study suggest that angiogenesis produced by VEGF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of collagen diseases. Measurement of serum VEGF reflects the disease activity in RA and SLE patients as well as increased frequency of lung fibrosis in SSc patients. In addition, inhibition of VEGF either by drugs or receptor antagonism may improve the clinical manifestations or decrease the progress of these diseases. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the exact role of VEGF in relation to other cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of collagen diseases