[A study of vascular factor in the pathogenesis of polymyositis].

OBJECTIVE

To study ICAM-1, IL-1alpha expression in capillaries and to explore whether capillaries play a role in the pathogenesis of polymyositis.

METHODS

Ten cases of patients with polymyositis and 6 patients with other myopathies were collected. CD34, ICAM-1 and IL-1alpha were selected for a quantitative measurement using an image analysis system, and results were presented as the percent of positive staining in the tissue area.

RESULTS

We found that the percent of capillaries in tissues from polymyositis was significantly less than that from controls (P = 0.009). ICAM-1 and IL-1alpha expression in endothelial cells of capillaries were stronger in polymyositis patients.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated that changes of capillaries might participate in the pathogenesis of polymyositis.