Increased serum levels of ICAM-1, ELAM-1 and TNF-alpha in inflammatory disorders of the peripheral nervous system

Ital J Neurol Sci. 1994 Sep;15(6):267-71. doi: 10.1007/BF02339236.

Abstract

Endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and glycoprotein E-selectin (ELAM-1) allow the homing of leukocytes to inflammation sites. A circulating form of ICAM-1 markedly increases in inflammatory CNS disorders. In the present study, the serum levels of ICAM-1, ELAM-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured in patients with acute (AIDP) and chronic (CIDP) inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies and cryoglobulinemic neuropathy (CGN). Immunoenzymometric assays revealed increased sICAM-1 levels in some of these patients; furthermore, high titres of ELAM-1 and TNF-alpha were detected in two patients with AIDP and one patient with CGN. Our data extend previous observations on inflammatory PNS disorders by showing that, in addition to ICAM-1, ELAM-1 also represents a useful marker of endothelial activation and that, taken together, the two molecules may serve as an indicator of specific pathogenetic mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / blood*
  • Cryoglobulinemia / blood
  • Demyelinating Diseases / blood
  • E-Selectin
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / blood*
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / blood
  • Neuritis / blood*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / blood*
  • Polyneuropathies / blood
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • E-Selectin
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1