Original Paper

Increased Serum Levels of Anti-Angiogenic Factors Soluble fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase and Soluble Endoglin in Sickle Cell Disease
P.P. Landburg^{a, b}, H. Elsenga^a, J.B. Schnog^{a, b}, A.J. Duits^a, on behalf of the CURAMA Study Group<sup>1

a</sup>Immunology Laboratory Department, Red Cross Blood Bank Foundation, and
^bDepartment of Internal Medicine, St. Elisabeth Hospital, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles

Address of Corresponding Author

Acta Haematol 2008;120:130-133 (DOI: 10.1159/000178143)

  Key Words

• Angiogenesis
• Endoglin
• fms-like tyrosine kinase
• Placenta-like growth factor
• sEng
• sFlt-1
• Sickle cell disease
• Vascular endothelial growth factor

  Abstract

The anti-angiogenic factors soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt)-1 and soluble endoglin (sEng) have been shown to be of importance in angiogenesis by sequestering and inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor, placenta-like growth factor and transforming growth factor-₁ signaling. Given the potential role of angiogenesis in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD)-related complications, serum levels of sFlt-1 and sEng were determined in SCD patients and controls. Both sFlt-1 (p = 0.002) and sEng (p = 0.004) were elevated in patients during clinically asymptomatic SCD with no further increment during painful crisis. These data suggest that sFlt-1 and sEng may be important in the regulation of angiogenesis in SCD.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Prof. Dr. A.J. Duits
Red Cross Blood Bank Foundation
Pater Euwensweg 36
Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles)
Tel. +5999 461 8433, Fax +5999 461 8431, E-Mail ajduits@gmail.com

  Article Information

This work was financially supported by the Netherlands Antilles Foundation for Higher Clinical Education.

Received: June 3, 2008
Accepted after revision: September 20, 2008
Published online: November 28, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 19