# name
Antibodies to endothelial cells in Behçet's disease: cell-binding heterogeneity and association with clinical activity

# metadata.dc.description.abstract[].value
OBJECTIVES--To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of antibodies to endothelial cells (aEC) from large vessel and from microvasculature in a group of patients with Behçet's disease (BD) to determine the relationship of these antibodies with clinical and laboratory features of the disease. METHODS--Thirty patients with BD were prospectively and consecutively studied. The aEC were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using endothelial cells derived from human umbilical vein (large vessel) as well as from retroperitoneal adipose tissue (microvasculature). RESULTS--Fifteen patients (50%) had aEC, either directed to large vessel [8(26%) patients] or microvascular [13(43%) patients] endothelial cells. The percentage of active patients was significantly higher in the aEC-positive group [12(80%) patients] compared with the aEC-negative group [5(33%) patients] (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS--Patients with BD have a high prevalence of aEC when microvascular endothelial cells are used in the assay. These antibodies seem to be a marker of disease activity in this condition, previously considered as negative for autoantibodies.

# metadata.dc.relation.ispartof[].value
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 1994, vol. 53, núm. 4, p. 265-267

# metadata.dc.source[].value
Articles publicats en revistes (Medicina)

# metadata.dc.title[].value
Antibodies to endothelial cells in Behçet's disease: cell-binding heterogeneity and association with clinical activity