Periostin expression is increased in cardiac tissue of scleroderma patients, and circulating periostin levels correlate with degree of skin fibrosis, disease duration, left ventricular mass, and index. The researchers conclude that periostin may be a potential biomarker that may provide more insight into cardiac fibrosis in scleroderma.
Because periostin plays a role in fibrotic processes, this study investigated the role of circulating periostin as a biomarker for organ complications in scleroderma. For this purpose, the periostin level was determined in the serum of 106 scleroderma patients and 22 healthy controls; in addition, periostin expression was measured in the cardiac tissue of 4 patients and 4 controls.
Of the participating patients, 83% were female, the mean age was 55.7 years, and the mean disease duration was 12.21 ± 2 years. Serum periostin levels were higher in the diffuse cutaneous SSc group (211.9 ± 172.3 ng/ml) than in both the control group (66.97 ± 61.72 ng/ml; p < 0.0001) and to the group with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc; 130.9 ± 133.7 ng/ml; p = 0.01). The difference between lcSSc and the control group was also significant (p = 0.0071). Additionally, the researchers found a direct correlation between periostin level and modified Rodnan skin score, left ventricular mass, and left ventricular mass index. Immunofluorescence staining in SSc cardiac tissue showed "patchy" periostin expression in all SSc patients, but not in controls. Furthermore, there was extensive periostin expression even in areas without collagen deposition, while all fibrotic areas showed colocalization of collagen and periostin. No association was observed between periostin levels and interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, or other vascular complications.
Bron:
El-Adili F, Lui JK, Najem M, et al. Periostin overexpression in scleroderma heart tissue and its utility as a marker for disease complications. Arthritis Res Ther. 2022;24:251.
