{
  "abstract": "Introduction LL37 is a human cathelicidin peptide known for its antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. Elevated levels of LL37 associated with increased local inflammation in various conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Its role in systemic sclerosis (SSc) remains controversial.Material and Methods Objectives:To check whether blood levels of LL37 correlated with SSc features, and survival outcomes.Methods:Fifty-eight consecutive SSc patients were evaluated. Serum LL37 was measured and correlated with SSc Features including skin involvement (mRSS), digital ulcers, lung function (FVC, DLCO), antibody profile, and long-term outcomes.Results Mean LL37 levels were not significantly different between limited and diffuse SSc (68.93 vs. 87.11 ng/ml, p=0.48) or across age groups or antibody subgroups. A weak, non-significant correlation with mRSS was found (rho = 0.213, p = 0.108) , but it is important to mention that 91% of patients in our study had mild skin disease (mRSS <=14). Patients with active digital ulcers had significantly higher LL37 levels (90.12ng/ml vs 59.21ng/ml, p=0.019). No statistically significant difference in LL37 levels between patients with infected DU and those with non-infected DU. Increasing LL37 thresholds correlated with impaired lung function: LL37 >50 ng/ml conferred a 2.9-fold increased risk of FVC <80%, and >60 ng/ml a 2.2-fold risk of DLCO <80%. All patients with LL37 >100 ng/ml had DLCO <80%, and 64.3% had FVC <80%. During the 10-year follow-up, 11 patients died; baseline LL37 was higher in deceased vs. survivors (median 83.4 vs. 48.4 ng/ml, p=0.06). No associations were observed with cardiac biomarkers, pulmonary hypertension, or hospitalization.Conclusions LL37 elevation is associated with vascular complications and lung function decline in SSc, with a possible prognostic trend for mortality. LL37 may represent a novel biomarker of vascular and pulmonary involvement in systemic sclerosis.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The B. Shine Rheumatology Institute, Rambam Healthcare Campus and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Tech, Haifa, Israel, Haifa, Israel"
      ],
      "name": "Sami Giryes"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The B. Shine Rheumatology Institute, Rambam Healthcare Campus and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Tech, Haifa, Israel, Haifa, Israel"
      ],
      "name": "Shani Peretz Bardan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The B. Shine Rheumatology Institute, Rambam Healthcare Campus and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Tech, Haifa, Israel, Haifa, Israel"
      ],
      "name": "Naomi Yeshurun Finkelstein"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Division of Laboratory Medicine, Rambam Healthcare Campus andRappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Isra, Haifa, Israel, Haifa, Israel"
      ],
      "name": "Marielle Kaplan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The B. Shine Rheumatology Institute, Rambam Healthcare Campus and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Tech, Haifa, Israel, Haifa, Israel"
      ],
      "name": "Vika Shataylo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The B. Shine Rheumatology Institute, Rambam Healthcare Campus and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Tech, Haifa, Israel, Haifa, Israel"
      ],
      "name": "Rita Erlich"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The B. Shine Rheumatology Institute, Rambam Healthcare Campus and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Tech, Haifa, Israel, Haifa, Israel"
      ],
      "name": "Yolanda Braun-Moscovici"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The B. Shine Rheumatology Institute, Rambam Healthcare Campus and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Tech, Haifa, Israel, Haifa, Israel"
      ],
      "name": "Alexandra Balbir-Gurman"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P.392 Ll37 as a biomarker of vascular and pulmonary involvement in systemic sclerosis",
  "uid": "9fb098d6-a552-57c5-baf0-6f5d8f4fabe0"
}