Active mobilization of endothelial cells linked to SpA without Crohn's disease

Compared with patients with Crohn’s disease, patients with both spondyloarthritis and Crohn’s disease, and healthy participants, an active mobilization of endothelial cells was seen in patients with spondyloarthritis alone, according to researchers in Florence, Italy.

The researchers studied 36 patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), 28 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and 20 patients with both SpA and CD (SC) treated at the Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi rheumatology unit. Two whole peripheral blood samples were collected from the patients and 20 healthy individuals and compared. All patients were older than 18 years of age, and exclusion criteria included the presence of an inflammatory bowel disorder, such as celiac disease or ulcerative colitis, or other rheumatic disease.

Blood levels of bone marrow-derived lymphatic endothelial progenitor cells (LEPCs) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) were measured in all participants. Patients with SpA and SC had statistically significantly higher LEPC levels than healthy individuals, but no correlation was seen with disease activity or duration, according to the researchers. Additionally, no differences were seen between healthy participants and patient with CD.

The researchers found LEPC levels were higher in patients with SpA and patients with SC compared with patients with CD, but statistical significance was not reached.

VEGF-C levels were not statistically different in any participants, although levels of VEGF-C were higher in patients with SC, according to the researchers.

Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.