Title:Serum levels of chemokines MCP-1, GRO-alpha and E-selectin correlates with familial Mediterranean fever

Author:Shams Kholoussi, Naglaa Kholoussi, Hala T El-Bassyouni, Botros Morcos and Assem Abo-Shanab

Abstract:Background: MCP-1(CCL-2) and GRO-α (CXCL-1) are chemokines that play an essential role in human body homeostatic and pathological processes. Both chemokines are critical in the pathogenesis of familial Mediterranean fever, an inflammatory disorder characterized by chronic inflammation attacks, neutrophil migration, and disruption of the process of apoptosis in damaged areas. E-selectin, one of the molecules that mediate leukocyte-endothelial adhesion, is also expressed through activated endothelial cells and is shed from these cells, its serum levels may indicate endothelial dysfunction in conditions such as familial Mediterranean fever disease.
Aim: In this study, we estimated the serum levels of MCP-1, CXCL-1, and E-selectin as diagnostic markers in familial Mediterranean fever patients, as compared to control subjects.
Patient and methods: 50 subjects were studied, 30 familial Mediterranean fever patients and 20 healthy controls, aged 1 to 18 years. Serum chemokines, namely, MCP-1, GRO-α, and E-selectin, were measured with Luminex® LabScan100.
Results: Serum concentrations of GRO-α was significantly increased in patients with familial Mediterranean fever, compared to healthy controls. MCP-1 and E-selectin values were also elevated in familial Mediterranean fever patients, but this was not sta­tistically significant.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that GRO-α may play a significant role in the development of familial Mediterranean fever. GRO-α may be a marker of familial Mediterranean fever disease development, as well as a possible useful therapeutic target. MCP-1 and E-selectin were non-significantly elevated in familial Mediterranean fever.
Keywords: Familial Mediterranean fever, MCP-1, CCL-2, GRO-α, CXCL-1, E-selectin, Luminex.
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