Markers of collagen and basement membrane metabolism in sera of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis

Article Abstract:

Progressive systemic sclerosis is characterized by hardening and fibrosis (formation of fibrous, nonfunctional tissue) of the skin, which is associated with the accumulation of collagen, a protein that is normally found in skin and connective tissue. In patients with this disorder, collagen accumulates in skin, lungs, and other organs. Alterations in the ratio of type III to type I collagen have been found, and changes in other proteins are probably involved as well. The association between collagen and other proteins with disease activity in progressive systemic sclerosis was evaluated in 84 patients. Blood levels were measured of a portion of type III collagen (PIINP), galactosylhydroxyllysyl glucosyltransferase (GGT, an enzyme involved in collagen production), the 7S portion of type IV collagen (7S), and the P1 fragment of laminin (P1, proteins in basement membrane, which underlies the tissue epithelial surfaces). Basement membrane proteins were measured to study disease of small blood vessels. Levels of PIINP, P1, and GGT were significantly higher in the patients than in 35 healthy subjects. Kidney dysfunction and protein in the urine were associated with elevated PIINP fragments. PIINP was related to Raynaud's phenomenon (a circulatory disorder causing hypersensitivity upon exposure to the cold), while arthritis was related to increased levels of PIINP and GGT activity. Patients with acute disease had the highest levels of P1 and PIINP fragments. Markers of the basement membrane were not associated with small vessel disease. These results suggest that levels of some of these proteins may be useful in assessing patient prognosis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Measurement, Systemic scleroderma, Scleroderma (Disease), Collagen, Membrane, Basement, Basement membrane

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Macrophage colony-stimulating factor 1, a clinically useful tumor marker in endometrial adenocarcinoma: comparison with CA 125 and the aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen

Article Abstract:

Higher levels of macrophage colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), a tumor-specific antigen, may reflect specific tumor action in endometrial adenocarcinoma. Endometrial adenocarcinoma refers to cancer inside the uterus. Researchers measured three types of antigens in 159 untreated patients with cancer of the uterus and in 24 patients who had received chemotherapy for recurrent endometrial adenocarcinoma. In addition to CSF-1, the presence of antigens CA 125 and aminoterminal propeptide of type III pro-collagen (PIIINP) was investigated. Although all three antigens were found in blood samples, CSF-1 levels were higher among patients who relapsed or died than among patients with stabilized disease. As a tumor marker, CSF-1 was the most accurate with respect to cancer presence and proliferation in both primary and recurrent carcinomas.

Endometrial cancer, Macrophage colony stimulating factor, Tumor markers

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Serum osteocalcin and carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen in rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

Bone formation and remodeling may be lower in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) than in healthy individuals. RA is an chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints. A study examined blood levels of osteocalcin and the carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP) in 119 female RA patients between 30 and 66 years old and in 47 healthy women the same age. Blood levels of osteocalcin and PICP can be used to assess the degree of bone formation and remodeling. Blood levels of both osteocalcin and PICP were significantly lower in the RA patients than in the healthy individuals. Patients who had developed RA recently had the lowest blood levels of osteocalcin and PICP.

Bones, Rheumatoid arthritis, Bone density

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