Raised levels of circulating VCAM-1 and circulating E-selectin in patients with recurrent oral ulceration.

Endothelial cell (EC) adhesion molecules VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1), E-selectin and ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) are essential for the binding of inflammatory cells to ECs. Recently, circulating forms of these molecules have been detected in a number of vasculitic disease processes. Recurrent oral ulceration (ROU) has some features of a vasculitic disease process. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to compare cVCAM-1, cE-selectin and cICAM-1 levels in 50 patients with ROU and 50 age- and sex-matched controls. Levels of circulating adhesion molecules were quantified using specific "sandwich" ELISA assays. The cVCAM-1 and cE-selectin levels were significantly raised in ROU patients (P < 0.00005 and P < 0.05, respectively) but there was no significant increase in cICAM-1 levels. These findings may result from endothelial cell activation or damage at the ulcer site.