Different patterns of soluble adhesion molecules in systemic and cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Abstract Circulating isoforms of cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) have been described recently, and elevated levels of certain sCAMs have been reported in various inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There are previously no reports on sCAMs in cutaneous LE. Sera from 61 patients with LE: systemic (SLE: n= 24), chronic cutaneous (discoid LE, DLE: n= 19) or subacute cutaneous (SCLE: n= 8), chronic biologically false positive (CBFP) reactors for syphilis (n= 10) and 32 controls were examined for sICAM-1, sVCAM-l and sE-Se-lectin with specific ELISA kits. Protocol forms were reviewed. We found significantly elevated levels of sE-Selectin in patients with DLE and widespread cutaneous symptoms, and a correlation between active cutaneous disease as well as polymorphous light eruption (PLE) and elevated levels of sE-Selectin. In contrast, patients with systemic LE did not have elevated levels of sE-Selectin, but in concordance with earlier reports, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-l levels were elevated compared to controls in SLE. as well as in SCLE patients, which has not been reported previously. Since activated endothelial cells are the only source for E-Selcetin, the elevated sE-Selectin level in patients with widespread and active cutaneous disease suggests a more important role for endothelial cells in the pathogenesis of cutaneous LE than previously assumed.     

Relevant new insights into the effects of photoprotection in cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) denotes a heterogeneous spectrum of autoimmune diseases that primarily affect the skin. Ultraviolet irradiation (UV) is one of the most important environmental factors that can trigger skin lesions in CLE or even induce systemic organ manifestation. It has been shown that broad‐spectrum sunscreen with high sun protection factors can effectively prevent UV‐induced skin lesions in patients with different subtypes of CLE. In a recent issue of Experimental Dermatology, Zahn and colleagues demonstrate that potent photoprotection blocks disease‐specific skin lesions in CLE patients by reducing lesional tissue damage and interferon‐driven inflammation.     

Comparative analysis of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus and chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus: clinical and immunological study of 270 patients

Background Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a chronic, autoimmune disease resulting from an interaction of genetic, environmental and hormonal factors and characterized by a spectrum of clinical forms with variable evolution from a localized cutaneous form to a life‐threatening systemic form. Objective To analyse and compare the prevalence and characteristics of the main clinical and immunological manifestations of subacute cutaneous LE (SCLE) and chronic CLE (CCLE). Methods A total of 270 patients with CLE (112 patients with SCLE and 158 patients with CCLE) were studied retrospectively. The clinical and serological characteristics of all the patients were collected in a chart review. Results The patients with SCLE had a higher prevalence of annular and papulosquamous lesions, Raynaud phenomenon, mucous membrane ulcers, malar rashes, photosensitivity, vasculitis and a lower frequency of discoid lesions and alopecia compared with patients with CCLE. Patients with SCLE had a higher prevalence of arthralgias (P < 0·001), xerophthalmia (P = 0·045), arthritis (P < 0·001), nephropathy (P = 0·003) and systemic LE (SLE) (P < 0·001) compared with patients with CCLE. Patients with SCLE also had a higher frequency of laboratory and serological abnormalities than patients with CCLE. Generalized discoid LE (DLE) was associated with a higher prevalence of photosensitivity (P < 0·001), panniculitis (P = 0·009) and SLE (P = 0·003) than localized DLE. In patients with SCLE and those with CCLE, photosensitivity, arthralgias, arthritis, nephropathy and xerophthalmia were associated with SLE. In patients with SCLE, significant correlations existed between clinical and immunological data. Conclusions In our series, differences in the expression of CCLE and SCLE were found with respect to the distribution and type of lesions, systemic features and immunological findings.     

Failure of physiologic doses of pure UVA or UVB to induce lesions in photosensitive cutaneous lupus erythematosus: implications for phototesting

BACKGROUND: Phototesting studies in cutaneous lupus erythematosus have yielded variable results, with most trials reporting photo-induction of lesions by both UVA and UVB in substantial numbers of patients. OBJECTIVES: To determine the minimal erythema dose in patients with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) and controls. PATIENTS/METHODS: We phototested nine patients with SCLE and 14 skin type-matched controls, using repetitive dosing of UVA1 and UVB, but with filters that removed most of the shorter UVC and longer infrared and visible light. In addition, DNA was isolated from anticoagulated blood to genotype the TNF-alpha 308 region in each patient and control. RESULTS: We were unable to demonstrate a difference in minimal erythema dose (MED) between patients and controls, or any correlation of MED with either TNF genotype or systemic drug therapy for SCLE. In addition, no SCLE skin lesions were induced in the nine patients with either UVA or UVB, and one patient cleared a skin lesion after low-dose UVA1 irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: The potential role of wavelengths outside the UVA and UVB range in the photo-induction of cutaneous lupus skin lesions needs to be investigated, and there is a need to standardize phototesting equipment and procedures for patients with cutaneous lupus erythematous.     

Follicular lupus erythematosus: a new cutaneous manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus

Summary We report the clinical, histopathological and immunological features of follicular erythema and petechiae in a 30-year-old Japanese woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Histology showed this eruption to constitute a cutaneous manifestation of SLE. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of follicular erythema and petechiae in association with SLE. Accordingly, we propose that this rare eruption be termed 'follicular lupus erythematosus'.     

沙利度胺治疗不同类型红斑狼疮皮损的疗效观察

目的：观察沙利度胺(thalidomide)对不同类型红斑狼疮(LE)皮肤损害的临床疗效。方法：选择56例不同类型的IE患者，包括慢性皮肤型红斑狼疮(CCLE)19例，深部红斑狼疮(LEP)2例，红斑狼疮-扁平苔藓综合征(LE-LP)2例，亚急性皮肤型红斑狼疮(SCLE)7例和系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)26例。患者口服沙利度胺，初始剂量为100—150mg／d，2周后根据疗效反应酌情减量，最后维持量为12．5—25mg／d；疗程6～8个月。结果：各型IE患者的皮肤损害均对沙利度胺有良好反应，56例中有41例皮损痊愈，近期治愈率达73．2％，复发率为21．9％。结论：沙利度胺对各型LE皮肤损害有较好的疗效。     

Recent advances in cytokines in cutaneous and systemic lupus erythematosus

Lupus erythematosus (LE) includes a broad spectrum of diseases from a cutaneous‐limited type to a systemic type. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease which affects multiple organs. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) includes skin symptoms seen in SLE and cutaneous‐limited LE. Although immune abnormalities, as well as heritable, hormonal and environmental factors, are involved in the pathology of LE, the actual pathogenesis is still unclear. Recently, the involvement of various cytokines has been shown in the pathogenesis of LE. Moreover, some trials with biological agents targeted specific cytokines are also ongoing for SLE. In this article, we review the contributions of major cytokines such as interferon, tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐18 to LE, especially SLE and CLE.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者皮损及血清黏附分子及一氧化氮水平的研究

目的：探讨血管细胞黏附分子-1（VCAM-1）、细胞间黏附分子-1（ICAM-1）、E-选择素水平及一氧化氮（N0）在皮损表达和血清水平与系统性红斑狼疮（SEE）活动性的关系。方法：①应用ELISA试剂盒测定血清细胞黏附分子。血清NO的检测使用NO硝酸还原酶试剂盒;②采用SABC免疫组化技术检测细胞黏附分子和NO的表达。结果：①血清中可溶性VCAM-1（sVCAM—Ⅰ）、可溶性ICAM-1（sICAM—Ⅰ）、NO水平病例组均较对照组明显升高（P均〈0．01）;病例组活动期较非活动期升高（P〈0．01）。②SLE活动期皮损处血管内皮细胞VCAM-1、ICAM-1、E-选择素和NO的表达与对照组比较．均明显上调（P〈0．05）。③SLE患者sICAM-1水平与SLE疾病活动指数（SLEDAI）有相关性（r=0．590,P=0．026）,NO水平与抗ds—DNA抗体呈正相关（r=0．777,P=0．001）。④血管内皮细胞内各黏附分子、NO表达的强度依次为VCAM-1〉ICAM—1〉NO〉E-选择素。结论：VCAM-1、ICAM-1、E-选择素和NO可能在SLE的发生、发展中起重要的组织损伤作用。     

Lupus erythematosus tumidus is a separate subtype of cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Background  Lupus erythematosus tumidus (LET) is a rare disease which was first described in 1909 but has not always been considered as a separate entity of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) in the international literature.
Objectives  To compare characteristic features of different subtypes of CLE and to analyse whether LET can be distinguished as a separate entity in the classification system of the disease.
Methods  The study involved 44 patients with CLE, including 24 patients with LET, 12 with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and eight with subacute CLE (SCLE), from two centres in Germany. A core set questionnaire and an SPSS database were designed to enable a consistent statistical analysis.
Results  Location of skin lesions did not differ significantly between the CLE subtypes; however, the activity score was significantly lower in LET than in DLE ( P  <   0·01), and the damage score was significantly lower in LET than in SCLE ( P  <   0·01) and DLE ( P  <   0·01). Photosensitivity and antinuclear antibodies were confirmed to be different in LET compared with SCLE and DLE but without statistical significance. Moreover, histological analysis of skin biopsy specimens showed that abundant mucin deposition is significantly more present in LET compared with SCLE ( P  <   0·01) and DLE ( P  <   0·01) while prominent interface dermatitis and alteration of hair follicles were absent in LET.
Conclusions  Several significant differences were found between LET and other subtypes of CLE with regard to clinical, histological and laboratory parameters. These data strongly indicate that LET should be defined as a separate entity in the classification of CLE.     

Epidemiology of cutaneous lupus erythematosus in a tertiary referral centre in Singapore

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the epidemiology, yield of investigations and proportion of patients who develop systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) among the subsets of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) in the Singapore Asian population. One hundred and twenty-five patients were diagnosed with cutaneous LE on clinico-pathological correlation, of which 73 had discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), eight had subacute cutaneous LE (SCLE), 22 had acute LE lesions and the remainder had other less common forms of cutaneous LE. Histology was consistent with LE in 94.4% and suggestive in 4.8%. Direct immunofluorescence was positive in 61% of DLE, 86% of SCLE and 80% of acute LE cases. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) was present in the majority of acute LE (85%) and SCLE (88%) but only in 25% of DLE. Eight patients (11%) presenting with DLE had definite SLE at first presentation and two (2.7%) subsequently several months later. Of these patients, six had only mucocutaneous and serological criteria but two had major organ involvement. Five SCLE patients (63%) fulfilled the criteria for SLE, including two with major organ involvement.     

Extracoporeal photochemotherapy in cutaneous lupus erythematosus

We report two female subjects with therapy-resistant cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE), one with subacute cutaneous and the other chronic discoid LE, both treated with extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP). The responses after six and eight cycles of ECP led to a prolonged remission of 18 and 11 months, respectively. ECP seems to be a treatment option for patients not responding to or showing unwanted side-effects during conventional standard therapy.     

Paraneoplastic subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus associated with cholangiocarcinoma

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) is a dermatosis that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals. The exogenous stimulus that triggers this condition is usually unknown; however, medication is often implicated. Malignancy is a rare cause. We present a case of paraneoplastic SCLE to cholangiocarcinoma and briefly review the features of this interesting entity.     

绵头雪莲花提取物对UVA照射后人成纤维细胞增殖的影响

目的:明确绵头雪莲花提取物对UVA照射下的人成纤维细胞的保护作用。方法:制备绵头雪莲花浸膏,将培养的人成纤维细胞分为正常对照组、UVA照射组(10 J/cm~2)及UVA+药物组,CCK8法检测细胞增殖活性,并比较各组吸光度值。结果:UVA+药物组漂浮死细胞(低于5%)少于UVA照射组(约20%~30%);UVA+药物组(200μg/mL)吸光度值为1.16±0.22,高于UVA照射组的0.5±0.12,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:绵头雪莲花提取物对UVA照射人成纤维细胞具有一定的保护作用。     

Ticlopidine-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus: A case report and literature review

Many drugs have been reported to induce lupus in a minority of patients. Ticlopidine hydrochloride inhibits platelet aggregation and is widely used for the prevention of thrombosis. There have been only a few reports of ticlopidine-induced lupus. Here, we review 13 previously reported cases and describe the case of a 71-year-old man with ticlopidine-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. His diagnosis was supported by the appearance of papulosquamous skin lesions on sun-exposed areas and detectable anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies, shortly after drug initiation as well as the gradual resolution of these symptoms after the discontinuation of ticlopidine. Our case highlights that when a patient presents with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus-like skin lesions, ticlopidine should be considered as a potential causative agent.