Publication Date:
2016-05-14
Description:
Background Recent studies have independently implicated the chemokine CXCL12 and its receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR7, in KS pathophysiology. Objectives We investigated whether the CXCL12/CXCR4-CXCR7 protein trio could constitute KS biomarkers. Methods Endothelial and spindle cells positive for CXCL12/CXCR4-CXCR7, HHV-8 latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA), Ki67 antigen (proliferation), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were quantitated in skin lesions from patients with AIDS-KS, with classic-KS, and with angiomas, using immunohistochemistry and quantitative image analysis (16, 21 and 20 skin lesions respectively). Plasma CXCL12 concentrations were measured by ELISA from 20 AIDS-KS, 12 HIV-infected patients without KS and 13 healthy donors samples. Results Cells positive for CXCL12, CXCR4, CXCR7, LANA, Ki67 and VEGF were significantly enriched in AIDS-KS and classic-KS versus angiomas ( P 〈0.0001), and in nodular versus macular/papular KS lesions ( P 〈0.05). CXCL12, CXCR4, and CXCR7 detection correlated with LANA, Ki67, and VEGF detection ( r 〉0.4; P 〈0.05). However, plasma CXCL12 concentrations did not differ between AIDS-KS patients, HIV-infected patients without KS and healthy donors. Conclusions The CXCL12/CXCR4-CXCR7 trio is upregulated in KS and correlates with KS pathophysiology markers detection and the severity of skin lesions. Histologic assessment of the CXCL12 axis could serve as a valuable biomarker for KS diagnosis and progression. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Print ISSN:
0007-0963
Electronic ISSN:
1365-2133
Topics:
Medicine
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