The role of endocan and selected pro-inflammatory cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem inflammatory autoimmune disease with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) are involved in its pathogenesis. Endocan is a novel marker of endothelial dysfunction and is likely to be engaged in proinflammatory processes in SLE. Aim: To determine whether endocan serum concentration in SLE patients vary from healthy controls. Material and methods: The study included 36 patients with SLE. SLEDAI-2K score was used to assess disease activity. The control group comprised 23 healthy volunteers. ELISA kits were used to assess serum concentrations of endocan, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP). Results: The serum concentration of endocan was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the SLE group than in healthy individuals. A positive correlation was found between serum levels of endocan and IL-1 beta (r = 0.47, p < 0.05). Active SLE patients (SLEDAI-2K score above 6 points) with an elevated total cholesterol level (above 5.17 mmol/l) were found to have VEGF concentration higher than those with a normal cholesterol level (p < 0.03). No other relevant relationships were found between the serum concentration of endocan, other laboratory parameters, anthropometric features, activity and duration of SLE. Conclusions: A higher serum level of endocan in SLE patients indicates its possible role in the pathogenesis of the disease and reflects endothelial dysfunction. Our findings indicate that endocan could serve as a potential marker of endothelial dysfunction in SLE.