Role of vascular endothelial growth factor and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in Behçet's disease

ObjectivesTo study the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in Behçet's disease and their relation to clinical manifestations particularly vascular manifestations and disease activity.MethodsForty Behçet's disease patients (32 males, 8 females), diagnosed according to the criteria proposed by the International Study Group for Behçet's disease were assessed clinically and serum VEGF and MCP-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsSerum VEGF and MCP-1 levels were detected in patients and control groups with highly significant increase in Behçet's group. A highly significant increase in the level of serum VEGF and MCP-1 was found in patients with vascular manifestations compared to those without vascular complications. A significant increase in the level of VEGF and MCP-1 was found in patients with active disease compared to inactive.ConclusionOur findings suggest that serum VEGF and MCP-1 levels are elevated in active Behçet's patients and in patients with vascular complications. So, we conclude that VEGF and MCP-1 play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of vascular complications of Behçet's disease. Therefore, the serum levels of these cytokines serve to predict a possible acute thrombosis in Behçet's disease.