CD34+/CD144+ circulating endothelial cells as an indicator of carotid atherosclerosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The relationships between the number of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) or endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and indicators of carotid atherosclerosis, such as the intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque score are not well characterized in patients with chronic ischemic stroke. The objective of this study was to investigate these relationships in patients with chronic ischemic stroke and in patients with risk factors for stroke.

METHODS:

A total of 58 patients (69.6 ± 10.0 years, 21 females) with chronic ischemic stroke or with risk factors for stroke were included in this study. IMT was measured using an IntimaScope, and the numbers of CECs and EPCs were measured using flow cytometry. CECs and EPCs were defined as CD34+/CD144+ and CD34+/CD133+ cells, respectively.

RESULTS:

The number of CECs in patients with large artery atherosclerosis was higher than that in patients with cardioembolism or small vessel occlusion (P < .05). In contrast, there were no significant differences in the number of EPCs between groups. A positive correlation was also observed between the plaque score and the number of CECs (r(2) = .139, P < .05, n = 36). Moreover, the number of CECs in patients with moderate and severe atherosclerosis (.32 ± .11/μL, n = 22) was higher than that in patients with no plaque and mild atherosclerosis (.25 ± .07/μL, n = 34, P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

The number of CECs was high in patients with large artery atherosclerosis who experienced chronic ischemic stroke. And this number may reflect severity of carotid atherosclerosis.

• Authors: Takamichi Sugimoto, Naohisa Hosomi, Tomohisa Nezu, Tetsuya Takahashi, Shiro Aoki, Ikuko Takeda, Tomoya Mukai, Kazuhide Ochi, Takeshi Kitamura, Toshiho Ohtsuki, Masayasu Matsumoto
• Journal: Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases : the official journal of National Stroke Association (J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis) Vol. 24 Issue 3 Pg. 583-90 (Mar 2015) ISSN: 1532-8511 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25542764 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD
• Antigens, CD34
• Biomarkers
• Cadherins
• cadherin 5

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antigens, CD (blood)
• Antigens, CD34 (blood)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Brain Ischemia (blood, etiology, immunology)
• Cadherins (blood)
• Carotid Arteries (diagnostic imaging, immunology)
• Carotid Artery Diseases (blood, complications, diagnostic imaging, immunology)
• Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
• Cell Count
• Endothelial Progenitor Cells (immunology)
• Female
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Plaque, Atherosclerotic
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Prognosis
• Risk Factors
• Severity of Illness Index
• Stroke (blood, etiology, immunology)