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- Ekman, Carl, et al.
(författare)
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Plasma concentrations of Gas6 and soluble Axl correlate with disease and predict mortality in patients with critical limb ischemia.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Clinical Biochemistry. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-2933 .- 0009-9120. ; May 4, s. 873-876
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a severe peripheral arterial disease, characterized by rest pain, ulcers and gangrene in the legs. Gas6 is a vitamin K-dependent protein, which binds and activates the tyrosine kinase receptor Axl. Gas6-mediated Axl-signaling influences endothelial activation, neointima formation and immune regulation. Axl can be cleaved and soluble Axl (sAxl) is detectable in circulation. DESIGN AND METHODS: We quantified plasma concentrations of Gas6 and sAxl in 189 CLI patients and 204 controls. RESULTS: Gas6 and sAxl concentrations were increased in the CLI patients (p<0.0001) and correlated to C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and neopterin. Patients who died within three years of sampling (n=84) had increased concentrations of Gas6 and sAxl as compared to survivors (p=0.0009 and p=0.0011). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma concentrations of Gas6 and sAxl correlate to inflammation and predict survival. This indicates that Gas6 and sAxl have a role in CLI, presumably connected to the inflammatory process.
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| 3. |
- Wu, Jun John, et al.
(författare)
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Increased plasma levels of the soluble Mer tyrosine kinase receptor in systemic lupus erythematosus relate to disease activity and nephritis
- 2011
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Ingår i: Arthritis Research and Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6362 .- 1478-6354. ; 13:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Mer and Tyro3 are receptor tyrosine kinases important for the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Together with Axl, they constitute the TAM receptor family. These receptors can be shed from the cell membrane and their soluble extracellular regions can be found in plasma. The objective of this study was to elucidate whether the plasma levels of soluble Mer (sMer) and Tyro3 (sTyro3) were increased in systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or critical limb ischemia (CLI). Methods: ELISA kits were used to test plasma concentrations in controls and in patients with SLE, RA or CLI. Results: Increased levels of, in particular, sMer and, to some extent, sTyro3, were found in patients with SLE or RA, but not in patients with CLI. Patients with SLE demonstrated the highest sMer levels and there was a strong correlation to higher SLE disease activity score (SLEDAI). In contrast, in patients with RA, the sMer levels did not correlate with the disease activity score (DAS). In SLE, sMer levels were particularly high in those with lupus nephritis, patients who also had decreased C1q levels and increased titers of anti-DNA antibodies. After therapy, the plasma concentrations of sMer decreased in parallel to the decrease in SLEDAI score. Conclusions: The plasma concentrations of sMer and sTyro3 were significantly increased in patients with active SLE and RA, suggesting the TAM receptor shedding was affected by these autoimmune diseases. In particular, sMer was increased in SLE, the plasma levels of sMer reflecting disease activity.
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