Specific Pattern of Circulating Endothelial Adhesion Molecules in HIV-Associated Kaposi’s Sarcoma

Abstract

Background: Circulating endothelial adhesion molecules have been found to be increased in states of immune activation, but little is known about their significance in the assessment of endothelial neoplasms. One of the most common tumors supposed to be derived from endothelial origin is HIV-associated Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS). Methods: Plasma concentrations of sCD54 (= intercellular adhesion molecule-1), sCD106 (= vascular cell adhesion molecule-1), and sCD62E (= E-selectin) were quantified by sandwich ELISA in 54 AIDS patients who were either free of active opportunistic disorders (n = 15, AIDS controls), or suffering from acute infections (n = 16), or exhibiting KS (n = 23), and in 18 age-and sex-matched healthy HIV-negative controls. Results: Both sCD54 and sCD106 plasma levels were consistently increased in all AIDS patients irrespective of concurrent opportunistic disorders (p < 0.005), while sCD62E levels were not altered in AIDS patients without KS (p > 0.05). In KS patients, sCD62E concentrations were decreased both compared to healthy (p = 0.0007) and to AIDS controls (p = 0.04), and stimulated sCD54 levels were less elevated than those of AIDS controls (p = 0.02). Plasma concentrations of all three adhesion molecules did not correlate to KS tumor stage. Conclusion: There appears to be a specific pattern of circulating endothelial adhesion molecules in AIDS patients with associated KS. Although the present findings do not support a role for their determination as tumor markers, they might be involved in KS tumor pathogenesis.

Elevation of Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Levels, but Not Angiopoietin 2, in the Plasma of Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected African Women with Clinical Kaposi Sarcoma

“…4 However, Becker and others found that ICAM-1 levels were lower among KS patients than among AIDS controls, 21 in contrast to our findings. In agreement with our findings, however, a 1994 study reported increased plasma ICAM-1 levels in HIV-1-infected patients with KS compared with healthy controls, HIV-infected patients with stage II or III disease, and HIV-infected patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.…”

“…One small study published in 1997 reported that plasma ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels were increased in all patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), 21 which is consistent with our study of HIV-1-seroconverters demonstrating increases in these two biomarkers after HIV-1 acquisition. 4 However, Becker and others found that ICAM-1 levels were lower among KS patients than among AIDS controls, 21 in contrast to our findings.…”

Expanding Role of Circulating Adhesion Molecules in Assessing Prognosis and Treatment Response in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

“…As we have shown, levels of sEs in HIV-infected patients (without concomitant fever, opportunistic infection, or neoplasm) are elevated compared to those in healthy controls, while a significant increase was observed with disease progression (75). Although some subsequent studies confirmed the elevated levels of sEs compared to those for healthy controls (52,73), in other studies no significant differences were demonstrated (3,28,45) (Table 2). This was probably due to the fact that these studies included patients with concomitant opportunistic infections or neoplasms.…”

“…This was probably due to the fact that these studies included patients with concomitant opportunistic infections or neoplasms. Interestingly, the presence of Kaposi's sarcoma or cytomegalovirus infection results in a decrease in serum sEs levels, probably through down-regulation of the expression of E-selectin on endothelial cells (3,45).…”