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Endothelin-1 immunoreactivity in plasma is elevated in HIV-1 infected patients with retinal microangiopathic syndrome

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Abstract

Endothelin-1 is a recently identified cytokine with potent vasoconstrictor activity which is associated with various diseases involving blood vessels. HIV-1 related retinal microangiopathic syndrome is a frequent finding in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex, presenting predominantly with retinal cotton-wool spots. We investigated 55 HIV-1 infected patients by ophthalmoscopy and for endothelin-I immunoreactivity in plasma and an additional 76 HIV-1 infected patients only for endothelin-1 levels. For reference values 13 age-matched healthy subjects were studied. In 18 of 55 patients (33%) investigated ophthalmoscopically we found evidence of microangiopathic syndrome. Overall, the mean endothelin-1 immunoreactivity in plasma of HIV-1 infected patients was significantly elevated as compared to controls (4.28 ± 3.62 versus 2.72 ± 0.67 fmol/ml, P < 0.0001). HIV-1 infected patients with retinal microangiopathic syndrome had significantly higher plasma levels of endothelin-1 immunoreactivity (4.59 ± 1.38 fmol/ ml) compared to HIV-1 infected patients without microangiopathic syndrome (3.18 ± 1.64 fmol/ml, P = 0.003). Correlation analysis revealed that endothelin-1 immunoreactivity in plasma had no significant association with disease progression, CD4 cell count, β2-mi-croglobulin, neopterin, or age. Endothelin-1 immunoreactivity in plasma was correlated exclusively with retinal microangiopathic syndrome in one or both eyes (r = 0.45, P = 0.0006) and with the number of cotton-wool spots (r = 0.50, P = 0.0001). In conlusion, HIV-1 related retinal microangiopathic syndrome is associated with elevated plasma levels of endothelin-1. By virtue of its potent vasoconstrictor activity endothelin-1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 related vascular disease.

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Abbreviations

AIDS:

aquired immunodeficiency syndrome

ET-1:

endothelin-1

HIV:

human immunodeficiency virus

IR:

immunoreactivity

WR:

Walter Reed classification

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medizinische Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Pettenkoferstrasse 8a, D-80336, Munchen, Germany

    B. Rolinski, I. Sadri, J. R. Bogner & F. D. Goebel

  2. Augenklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munchen, Pettenkoferstrasse 8a, D-80336, Munchen, Germany

    S. A. Geier & V. Klauss

  3. Klinik für Neurologie und Psychiatrie, Georg-August Universität, Göttingen, Germany

    H. Ehrenreich

Authors
  1. B. Rolinski
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  2. S. A. Geier
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  3. I. Sadri
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  4. V. Klauss
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  5. J. R. Bogner
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  6. H. Ehrenreich
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  7. F. D. Goebel
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Correspondence to: B. Rolinski

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Rolinski, B., Geier, S.A., Sadri, I. et al. Endothelin-1 immunoreactivity in plasma is elevated in HIV-1 infected patients with retinal microangiopathic syndrome. Clin Investig 72, 288–293 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00180042

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00180042

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