Evaluation of the relationship of lymphangiogenesis markers with disease pathogenesis in patients with Behçet’s uveitis

ABSTRACT

Objectives

The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between Behçet’s uveitis and lymphangiogenesis by determining levels of Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C, its receptors sVEGFR-2, sVEGFR-3 and lymphangiogenesis markers podoplanin (PDPN) and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1(LYVE-1), and C-type lectin domain family 1 member B (CLEC2).

Materials and methods

55 patients with BD uveitis and 31 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study.

Results

sVEGFR-2, sVEGFR-3, VEGF-C/sVEGFR-2 ratio, PDPN and LYVE-1 levels were higher in the patient group. A positive correlation was found between LYVE-1 and hsCRP levels. PDPN had a strong predictive value for progression with a cut-off value of 2 pg/mL, with 69% sensitivity and 68% specificity (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

LYVE-1 and PDPN can be good representatives of the ongoing inflammatory processes in BD uveitis and point out that the disease can be related to lymphangiogenesis.

KEYWORDS:

• Behçet’s Disease
• uveitis
• lymphangiogenesis
• inflammation

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank our laboratory technicians for their support during the study.

Disclosure of interest

No potential competing interest was reported by the authors

Ethics Statement

The study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee. The research protocol complies with the 2000 Declaration of Helsinki and written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Additional information

Funding

No specific funding was received from any bodies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors to carry out the work described in this article.