Capillaroscopic findings and vascular biomarkers in systemic sclerosis: Association of low CD40L levels with late scleroderma pattern

Objective: To determine the relationship between vascular biomarkers reflecting the vascular injury and neoangiogenesis with capillaroscopic changes in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods: Nailfold video-capillaroscopy (NVC) was performed qualitatively (early, active and late scleroderma patterns) in 72 SSc patients (66 female) fulfilling ACR/EULAR (2013) criteria. Serum samples of patients were collected and analysed by flow cytometer with multiplex kits of sCD40L, tPA, MCP-1, sE-selectin, IL-8, IL-6, VEGF, sP-selectin, TGF-beta 1 and VCAM at the same time with NVC. Results: Compared to healthy subjects; tPA (p = 0.02), MCP-1 (p = 0.001), sE-selectin (p = 0.008) and TGF-beta 1 (p = 0.001) levels were significantly higher, however sP-selectin (p = 0.011) and IL-8 (p = 0.001) levels were lower in SSc patients. SSc patients were defined according to NVC patterns as 'early' (n = 10), 'active' (n = 37) and 'late' (n = 25). According to NVC patterns of SSc patients, only 5CD40L levels were significantly lower in the 'late' group (p = 0.039). The other markers were similar among NVC groups. Conclusions: NVC is a useful method for investigating the vascular pathogenesis and severity of SSc. Although the levels were similar to healthy controls in patients with early/active NVC patterns, there were lower sCD40L serum levels in patients with late NVC pattern. CD40L may have a role in the early/active phase of vascular involvement. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.