In this study, we analyzed the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin and annexin V in primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in response to 10% (v/v) serum of control patients (n = 6), patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and no APS (n = 4) or APS patients (n = 9) for 24 h. Total RNA was prepared from confluent endothelial cell layers and mRNA expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Previous studies showed that antibodies from patients with antiphospholipid (aPL) syndrome (APS) interfere with annexin A5 crystallization and anticoagulant activity.
When placental proteins were extracted from villous tissue, the concentration of AV/mg protein in term APS placentas (median, interquartile range) (aPS; 8.16, 7.879.72 microg/mg) was significantly higher (p <0.005) than normal term levels (normal; 2.47, 2.28-2.54 microg/mg). beta2GPI increased with advancing gestation (first trimester; 0.93, 0.64-1.26 microg/mg, term; 3.67, 2.58-4.48 microg/mg) in normal pregnancy.