Increased soluble platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 in the early stages of acute coronary syndromes

Specific molecules including inflammatory cell adhesion molecules mediate attachment of blood leukocyte and platelets to the endothelium and mononuclear cell migration into the arterial intima. However, the clinical significance of soluble cell adhesion molecules very early in the course of acute coronary syndrome is not known. We assayed platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1, CD31), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1, CD54), and P-selectin (CD62P) in plasma obtained from 20 patients within 3 h after the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI); 16 patients with unstable angina pectoris; 20 patients with stable angina pectoris, and 28 controls. Blood samples were obtained on hospital admission and again 1 week after onset of AMI and unstable angina, and on admission in patients with stable angina and controls. Plasma PECAM-1 concentration (ng/ml) on admission was higher in patients with AMI (25.6±4.7) and unstable angina (24.7±4.4) than in stable angina (20.5±4.4) and control (18.8±3.8) groups. In both AMI and unstable angina, plasma PECAM-1 had decreased significantly by 1 week (AMI, 20.8±4.0; unstable angina, 21.0±4.1). Plasma ICAM-1 concentration (ng/ml) on admission was higher in patients with AMI (254±70), unstable angina (264±78), and stable angina (245±68) than in controls (201±56), but did not differ between the three coronary syndromes. Plasma P-selectin concentration did not differ between the four groups, including controls. Therefore, soluble PECAM-1 concentration may be a sensitive markers providing early diagnostic aid in acute coronary syndromes.