Immunohistochemical Analysis of Adhesion Molecule Expression on Muscle Biopsy Specimens from Patients with Juvenile Dermatomyositis

ADRIANA M.E. SALLUM, SUELY K.N. MARIE, ALDA WAKAMATSU, SILVANA SACHETTI, MARIA A.A.G. VIANNA, CLÓVIS A.A. SILVA, and MARIA H.B. KISS

ABSTRACT.

Objective. To assess expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on muscle biopsy specimens from patients with untreated juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).

Methods. Histochemical and immunohistochemical tests for ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were performed on serial frozen sections from 27 JDM muscle biopsy specimens. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression was analyzed on capillaries, perimysial and endomysial large vessels, and muscle fibers. Expression was assessed and graded semiquantitatively.

Results. Increased ICAM-1 expression was observed on capillaries and perimysial large vessels on semiquantitative analysis, and was statistically more evident than on endomysial large vessels. In all cases, only a few muscle vessels showed expression of VCAM-1. Expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was observed on few muscle fibers.

Conclusion. The observation of ICAM-1 expression on muscle vessels, mainly on capillaries of patients with untreated JDM compared to controls, and VCAM-1 expression to a lesser extent, mostly on muscle vessels surrounded by inflammatory infiltrate, supports the participation of these adhesion molecules in the pathologic mechanism of vascular injury in JDM. (J Rheumatol 2004;31:801-7)

Key Indexing Terms:

JUVENILE DERMATOMYOSITIS
ADHESION MOLECULES
MUSCLE BIOPSY
INTERCELLULAR ADHESION MOLECULE-1
VASCULAR CELL ADHESION MOLECULE-1

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From the Department of Pediatrics, Department of Neurology, and Department of Rheumatology, University of São Paulo Medical School; Department of Pediatrics, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo Medical School; and the Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, Brazil.

Supported by a grant from FAPESP 98/16290-6.

A.M.E. Sallum, MD, Postgraduate Student; C.A.A. Silva, MD, PhD; M.H.B. Kiss, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics; S.K.N. Marie, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology; M.A.A.G. Vianna, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, University of São Paulo Medical School; A. Wakamatsu, MS, Scientific Researcher, Adolfo Lutz Institute; S. Sachetti, MD, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo Medical School.

Address reprint requests to Dr. A.M.E. Sallum, Avenida Juriti, 187 — apto 21, CEP 04520-000, Moema, São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail: adrianasallum@ig.com.br

Submitted February 5, 2003; revision accepted October 16, 2003.

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