Objectives: The interaction of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) with CD105 (endoglin) is an essential step in the maintenance of endothelial cell quiescence. The importance of this interaction during the critical early phases of acute pancreatitis is unknown. This study explores patterns of expression of CD105 and TGF-beta in plasma during human acute pancreatitis.
Methods: Forty-one patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute pancreatitis constitute the study population. Venous blood samples were taken at admission and on the fifth day. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed for CD105, TGF-beta1, TGF-beta3, CD105/TGF-beta1, and CD105/TGF-beta3 complexes.
Results: TGF-beta1 levels were significantly elevated on admission in the acute pancreatitis group compared with controls and were further elevated in delayed samples. In contrast, admission CD105 levels were similar to those in controls, but in delayed samples, there was a significant reduction in CD105. Levels of TGF-beta3, CD105/TGF-beta1, and CD105/TGF-beta3 did not differ between groups.
Conclusions: This is the first report to investigate the interplay between plasma expression of CD105, TGF-beta1, TGF-beta3, and ligand complexes in acute pancreatitis. The results of this study confirm previous findings that increased expression of TGF-beta1 is a feature of severe acute pancreatitis. The absence of a parallel elevation in CD105 or CD105/TGF-beta ligand complexes is previously unreported and may suggest that angiogenesis mediated by the interaction between CD105 and TGF-beta is not an early feature of this disease.