Alterations in the serum levels of soluble L, P and E-selectin 20 years after sulfur mustard exposure: Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study

The selectins (L, P and E) are carbohydrate-binding membrane glycoproteins acting as adhesion molecules involved in the development of different inflammatory reactions. Various eye, skin and lung diseases are associated with induction of soluble selectins. In this study serum levels of soluble forms of selectins (sL-selectin, sP-selectin and sE-selectin) were evaluated in the sulfur mustard (SM) exposed and the control groups using ELISA method. sL-selectin was significantly lower in the SM exposed group compared to the control group (1131.5 ± 16.3 and 1205.7 ± 26.9 pg/ml respectively; p = 0.021). The serum levels of sP-Selectin was significantly reduced in the SM exposed group in comparison to the control group (149.35 ± 2.61 and 170.25 ± 5.16 pg/ml respectively; p < 0.001). sE-selectin was significantly increased in sera of the exposed group compared to the control group (29.64 ± 0.902 and 24.61 ± 1.26 pg/ml respectively; p = 0.003). sL-selectin positively correlated with the percentage of polymorphonuclear cells and negatively with the percentage of lymphocytes. There was a significant correlation between the count of platelets and sP-selectin in both the control and exposed groups. The change in the pattern of selectins in the SM exposed group in comparison to the control group may indicate suppressed acute inflammatory condition in which new remodeling of cytokine expression play a more crucial role in the immune-regulation.