The High Expression of Adhering and Circulating Integrin Serves as a Diagnostic Marker in Venous Thromboembolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic value of circulating integrins β1, 2, and 3 in venous thrombosis (VTE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 474 VTE patients and 306 patients with nonhigh risk for VTE as the control group were studied. Levels of adhering integrins β1, 2, and 3 were detected by flow cytometry. Levels of circulating integrins β1, 2, and 3 in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We found that integrins β1, 2, and 3 were expressed highly both in serum and on the surface of leukocytes and platelets in venous thromboembolism. The levels of circulating integrins β1, 2, and 3 are positively correlated with adhering integrins. It showed excellent clinical diagnostic performance of circulating integrins β1, 2, and 3 in venous thromboembolism. CONCLUSIONS: Integrin subunit β can be used as a diagnostic marker with high sensitivity and specificity for venous thromboembolism.