Pentraxin-3 and VEGF in POEMS syndrome: a 2-year longitudinal study

J Neuroimmunol. 2014 Dec 15;277(1-2):189-92. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2014.09.021. Epub 2014 Oct 5.

Abstract

Circulating Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were measured longitudinally (mean follow-up 2 years) by ELISA in 6 patients with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, skin changes (POEMS) syndrome and 16 controls. Expression of PTX3 was also assessed (immunohistochemistry) on sural nerve biopsies from POEMS and vasculitic neuropathy patients. No correlation was found between PTX3 and VEGF levels in POEMS or controls. Sural nerve biopsies from vasculitic neuropathy patients, but not those from POEMS syndrome, showed strong PTX3 staining. PTX3, expression of vessel inflammation/remodeling, and VEGF, crucial pro-angiogenic cytokine, appear to be independently regulated in POEMS syndrome.

Keywords: POEMS syndrome; Pentraxin 3; Polyneuropathy; Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); Vasculitis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • POEMS Syndrome / metabolism*
  • POEMS Syndrome / pathology*
  • Serum Amyloid P-Component / metabolism*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Sural Nerve / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / blood*

Substances

  • Serum Amyloid P-Component
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • PTX3 protein
  • C-Reactive Protein