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Dolgyras P, Anyfanti P, Lazaridis A, Gavriilaki E, Koletsos N, Triantafyllou A, Barbara N, Mastrogiannis K, Yiannaki E, Papakonstantinou A, Galanapoulou V, Douma S, Gkaliagkousi E. Endothelial dysfunction and complement activation are independently associated with disease duration in patients with systemic vasculitis. Microvasc Res 2024; 154:104692. [PMID: 38705254 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2024.104692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Systemic vasculitis is a heterogenous group of autoimmune diseases characterized by enhanced cardiovascular mortality. Endothelial dysfunction is associated with accelerated vascular damage, representing a core pathophysiologic mechanism contributing to excess CV risk. Recent studies have also shown that complement activation holds significant role in the pathogenesis of Anti-Neutrophilic Cytoplasmic Autoantibody (ANCA) -associated vasculitis (AAV). Given the potential crosstalk between the endothelium and complement, we aimed to assess, for the first time simultaneously, easily accessible biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and complement activation in SV. METHODS We measured circulating endothelial microvesicles (EMVs) and soluble complement components representative of alternative, classical and terminal activation (C5b-9, C1q, Bb fragments, respectively) in a meticulously selected group of patients with systemic vasculitis, but without cardiovascular disease. Individuals free from systemic diseases, who were matched with patients for cardiovascular risk factors(hypertension, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia), comprised the control group. RESULTS We studied 60 individuals (30 in each group). Patients with systemic vasculitis had elevated EMVs, higher levels of C5b-9 [536.4(463.4) vs 1200.94457.3), p = 0.003] and C1q [136.2(146.5 vs 204.2(232.9), p = 0.0129], compared to controls [232.0 (243.5) vs 139.3(52.1), p < 0.001]. In multivariate analysis both EMVs and C5b-9 were independently associated with disease duration (p = 0.005 and p = 0.004 respectively), yet not with disease activity. CONCLUSION Patients with systemic vasculitis exhibit impaired endothelial function and complement activation, both assessed by easily accessible biomarkers, even in the absence of cardiovascular disease manifestations. EMVs and soluble complement components such as C5b-9 and C1q could be used as early biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and complement activation, respectively, in clinical practice during the course of SV, yet their predictive value in terms of future cardiovascular disease warrants further verification in appropriately designed studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Dolgyras
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Panagiota Anyfanti
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antonios Lazaridis
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Gavriilaki
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Koletsos
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Areti Triantafyllou
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaidou Barbara
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Mastrogiannis
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Efi Yiannaki
- Hematology Laboratory, Theagenion Cancer Center, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anna Papakonstantinou
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Stella Douma
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eugenia Gkaliagkousi
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Yegin ZA, Savaş EM, Yıldız Ş, Kök Mİ, Erdemir MB, Bostankolu Değirmenci B, Özkurt ZN, Yağcı M. Preconditioning Modified-Easix as a Predictor of Prognosis in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus 2023; 39:586-597. [PMID: 37786821 PMCID: PMC10542067 DOI: 10.1007/s12288-022-01623-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHCT) is associated with severe complications, most of which share a common physiopathological background characterized by endothelial dysfunction. A novel risk assessment model, endothelial activation and stress index (EASIX), has been introduced as a predictor of endothelial activation. This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the predictive impact of EASIX/modified-EASIX (mEASIX) on transplant outcome. Medical records of 398 alloHCT recipients [median age: 43(17-71) years; M/F: 243/155] were examined. EASIX/mEASIX were calculated at specific time points before and after transplantation. EASIX/mEASIX were significantly associated with transplant complications including engraftment syndrome, sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, febrile neutropenia and transplant associated thrombotic microangiopathy. The probability of overall survival was significantly higher in low-preconditioning mEASIX (day -7) group (37% vs 25.2%; p = 0.008; HR: 2.057; 95% CI: 1.208-3.504). The probabilities of day30 mortality (2.9% vs 19.4%; p = 0.017; HR: 7.028; 95% CI: 1.418-34.836), day100 mortality (9% vs 33%; p = 0.004; HR: 4.469; 95% CI: 1.619-12.336) and non relapse mortality (44.8% vs 61.4%; p = 0.005; HR: 2.551; 95% CI: 1.318-4.941) were lower in low-preconditioning mEASIX (day -7) group. This retrospective cohort analysis demonstrates the significant impact of EASIX/mEASIX on transplant complications and survival. Prospective analyses are mandatory to assess the predictive role of EASIX/mEASIX in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Arzu Yegin
- Department of Hematology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Emine Merve Savaş
- Department of Hematology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Şeyma Yıldız
- Department of Hematology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Münevver İrem Kök
- Department of Hematology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Meltem Büşra Erdemir
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Zübeyde Nur Özkurt
- Department of Hematology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Münci Yağcı
- Department of Hematology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Gavriilaki E, Anyfanti P. Editorial: Endotheliopathies: Current concepts and importance in clinical practice. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1162121. [PMID: 36936244 PMCID: PMC10022819 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1162121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Gavriilaki
- Second Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- *Correspondence: Eleni Gavriilaki
| | - Panagiota Anyfanti
- Second Medical Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Dillon HT, Foulkes S, Horne-Okano YA, Kliman D, Dunstan DW, Daly RM, Fraser SF, Avery S, Kingwell BA, La Gerche A, Howden EJ. Rapid cardiovascular aging following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for hematological malignancy. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:926064. [PMID: 36588564 PMCID: PMC9797839 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.926064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) offers a potential cure for high-risk hematological malignancy; however, long-term survivors experience increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is unclear how allo-HCT impacts cardiovascular function in the short-term. Thus, this 3-month prospective study sought to evaluate the short-term cardiovascular impact of allo-HCT in hematological cancer patients, compared to an age-matched non-cancer control group. Methods Before and ~3-months following allo-HCT, 17 hematological cancer patients (45 ± 18 years) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to quantify peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak)-a measure of integrative cardiovascular function. Then, to determine the degree to which changes in VO2peak are mediated by cardiac vs. non-cardiac factors, participants underwent exercise cardiac MRI (cardiac reserve), resting echocardiography (left-ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF], global longitudinal strain [GLS]), dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (lean [LM] and fat mass [FM]), blood pressure (BP) assessment, hemoglobin sampling, and arteriovenous oxygen difference (a-vO2diff) estimation via the Fick equation. Twelve controls (43 ± 13 years) underwent identical testing at equivalent baseline and 3-month time intervals. Results Significant group-by-time interactions were observed for absolute VO2peak (p = 0.006), bodyweight-indexed VO2peak (p = 0.015), LM (p = 0.001) and cardiac reserve (p = 0.019), which were driven by 26, 24, 6, and 26% reductions in the allo-HCT group (all p ≤ 0.001), respectively, as no significant changes were observed in the age-matched control group. No significant group-by-time interactions were observed for LVEF, GLS, FM, hemoglobin, BP or a-vO2diff, though a-vO2diff declined 12% in allo-HCT (p = 0.028). Conclusion In summary, allo-HCT severely impairs VO2peak, reflecting central and peripheral dysfunction. These results indicate allo-HCT rapidly accelerates cardiovascular aging and reinforces the need for early preventive cardiovascular intervention in this high-risk group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley T. Dillon
- Clinical Research Domain, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Institute of Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen Foulkes
- Clinical Research Domain, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Institute of Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Yuki A. Horne-Okano
- Clinical Research Domain, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David Kliman
- Malignant Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation Service, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David W. Dunstan
- Clinical Research Domain, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Institute of Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Robin M. Daly
- Institute of Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Steve F. Fraser
- Institute of Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Sharon Avery
- Malignant Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation Service, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bronwyn A. Kingwell
- Clinical Research Domain, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,CSL Ltd, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andre La Gerche
- Clinical Research Domain, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Erin J. Howden
- Clinical Research Domain, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: Erin J. Howden
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Towards a Better Understanding of the Atypical Features of Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease: A Report from the 2020 National Institutes of Health Consensus Project Task Force. Transplant Cell Ther 2022; 28:426-445. [PMID: 35662591 PMCID: PMC9557927 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2022.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alloreactive and autoimmune responses after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation can occur in non-classical chronic graft-versus-host disease (chronic GVHD) tissues and organ systems or manifest in atypical ways in classical organs commonly affected by chronic GVHD. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus projects were developed to improve understanding and classification of the clinical features and diagnostic criteria for chronic GVHD. While still speculative whether atypical manifestations are entirely due to chronic GVHD, these manifestations remain poorly captured by the current NIH consensus project criteria. Examples include chronic GVHD impacting the hematopoietic system as immune mediated cytopenias, endothelial dysfunction, or as atypical features in the musculoskeletal system, central and peripheral nervous system, kidneys, and serous membranes. These purported chronic GVHD features may contribute significantly to patient morbidity and mortality. Most of the atypical chronic GVHD features have received little study, particularly within multi-institutional and prospective studies, limiting our understanding of their frequency, pathogenesis, and relation to chronic GVHD. This NIH consensus project task force report provides an update on what is known and not known about the atypical manifestations of chronic GVHD, while outlining a research framework for future studies to be undertaken within the next three to seven years. We also provide provisional diagnostic criteria for each atypical manifestation, along with practical investigation strategies for clinicians managing patients with atypical chronic GVHD features.
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A non-interventional study of microcirculation dynamics in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation survivors compared to controls: evidence of impaired microvascular response regardless of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Bone Marrow Transplant 2022; 57:72-77. [PMID: 34645924 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-021-01500-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) survivors have been recently recognized as patients at increased cardiovascular risk. We hypothesized that vascular function remains impaired in alloHCT survivors free of graft-versus-host-disease or relapse. We enrolled consecutive adult alloHCT survivors and non-HCT control individuals (January 2019-March 2020), matched for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Microvascular dysfunction was dynamically assessed in real time by Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis (LASCA). Carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) were assessed as surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease. We studied 75 patients after a median of 3.2 (range 2.1-4.9) years from alloHCT, who had suffered from grade 2 to 3 acute (20%) and/or moderate/severe chronic GVHD (42%), and 75 controls. Although traditional cardiovascular risk factors and surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease did not differ between groups, alloHCT survivors showed significantly impaired microvascular function (baseline and peak flux, time to peak, base to peak and base to occlusion change). LASCA indices were also independently associated with alloHCT. Our study shows for the first-time impaired microcirculation dynamics in alloHCT survivors, independently of cardiovascular risk factors. Additional studies are needed to address the role of novel markers in cardiovascular risk prediction, along with effects of disease type, phase, and pre-transplant treatments.
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Gavriilaki E, Gkaliagkousi E. Molecular Advances in Hypertension and Blood. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010278. [PMID: 35008704 PMCID: PMC8745536 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Gavriilaki
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Hematology Department, G. Papanicolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Eugenia Gkaliagkousi
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece;
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Lestak J, Mlcak P, Kuba A, Maresova K, Kyncl M, Tintera J, Fus M. Bilateral optic neuropathy as a complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub 2021. [PMID: 34602613 DOI: 10.5507/bp.2021.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The authors present a case study which describes the development of bilateral optic neuropathy as a complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in a patient who underwent a transplant for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The patient, who was in remission with regard to the underlying hematological disease, developed edema of both optic discs and maculas three months after transplantation. The morphological finding regressed after treatment with corticoids and comprehensive systemic anti-infective therapy. However, the loss of function was not entirely restored. CASE REPORT One year after the healing, the atrophy of the optic discs persisted, with corresponding findings in vessel density (VD), retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and visual field changes. Electrophysiological examination by pattern electroretinogram (PERG) showed an alteration in retinal ganglion cells in the left eye, but with significant damage to nerve fibres on both sides. Visual evoked potential (VEP) verified bilateral non-inflammatory neurogenic lesions. This finding was also confirmed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Examination by structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed inflammatory changes in the optic nerve sheaths over time and a consequent marked narrowing of them. CONCLUSION The authors believe that edema of the optic discs and maculas was caused by a combination of several factors. Firstly, MRI showed inflammatory changes in the optic nerve sheaths, which led to a blockade of axoplasmic transport. Another factor that may have played a part in the outcome was endothelial damage to blood vessels with impaired microcirculation supplying the optic nerve fibres, which contributed to the occurrence of macular edema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Lestak
- JL Opthalmology Clinic, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Mlcak
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University and University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Kuba
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University and University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Klara Maresova
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University and University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kyncl
- JL Opthalmology Clinic, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Tintera
- JL Opthalmology Clinic, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Fus
- JL Opthalmology Clinic, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic
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Eftychidis I, Sakellari I, Anagnostopoulos A, Gavriilaki E. Endothelial dysfunction and vascular complications after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: an expert analysis. Expert Rev Hematol 2021; 14:831-840. [PMID: 34388057 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2021.1968823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) is the standard of care for many diseases. However, survivors often present with serious complications resulting from acute and chronic toxicities and it is crucial to increase consciousness from treating physicians. We performed a comprehensive review of the literature and critically examined recent available data, mostly using the PubMed and Medline search engines for original articles published over the last decade. Better understanding of many alloHCT-related disorders has shown that endothelial injury and vascular damage plays a critical role. The most widely studied endothelial injury syndromes (EIS) are veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS/VOD), graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), and transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA). TA-TMA, frequently underdiagnosed, needs to be clarified using certain criteria and, as a life-threatening condition, requires immediate and intensive treatment. The first-in-class complement inhibitor eculizumab has significantly improved outcomes in both the pediatric and adult population. Cardiovascular (CV) events are the second major cause of morbidity and mortality of alloHCT survivors, after GVHD. Long-term monitoring and management of CV risk is expected to also incorporate patient stratification with CV risk prediction models, early markers of vascular dysfunction or procoagulant activity, subclinical target organ damage, arterial stiffness, and subclinical atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Eftychidis
- Hematology Department-BMT Unit, G Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioanna Sakellari
- Hematology Department-BMT Unit, G Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Eleni Gavriilaki
- Hematology Department-BMT Unit, G Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Lelas A, Greinix HT, Wolff D, Eissner G, Pavletic SZ, Pulanic D. Von Willebrand Factor, Factor VIII, and Other Acute Phase Reactants as Biomarkers of Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease. Front Immunol 2021; 12:676756. [PMID: 33995421 PMCID: PMC8119744 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.676756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) is an immune mediated late complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). Discovery of adequate biomarkers could identify high-risk patients and provide an effective pre-emptive intervention or early modification of therapeutic strategy, thus reducing prevalence and severity of the disease among long-term survivors of alloHSCT. Inflammation, endothelial injury, and endothelial dysfunction are involved in cGvHD development. Altered levels of acute phase reactants have shown a strong correlation with the activity of several immune mediated disorders and are routinely used in clinical practice. Since elevated von Willebrand factor (VWF) and factor VIII (FVIII) levels have been described as acute phase reactants that may indicate endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in different settings, including chronic autoimmune diseases, they could serve as potential candidate biomarkers of cGvHD. In this review we focused on reported data regarding VWF and FVIII as well as other markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, evaluating their potential role in cGvHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonela Lelas
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Daniel Wolff
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Günther Eissner
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Steven Zivko Pavletic
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Drazen Pulanic
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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