IgG anti‐endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) in type I diabetes mellitus; induction of adhesion molecule expression in cultured endothelial cells
AECA were detected in 25 of 71 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and in two of 33 healthy subjects. Patients with diabetes of < 1 year duration and those with long‐standing disease had the highest levels of these antibodies. Inhibition studies suggest that at least part of the AECA reactivity is due to cross‐reactive anti‐ssDNA antibodies. AECA‐positive sera were able to increase intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and E‐selectin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Increased binding of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells was also found to accompany raised E‐selectin expression. Soluble ICAM‐1 and E‐selectin were also found to be increased in the sera of AECA‐positive patients. An effect of AECA on endothelial cell function is suggested in diabetes mellitus.