Summary
Increased numbers of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) in peripheral blood have
been observed in diseases with vascular involvement, and are considered a promising
surrogate marker for vascular damage. It was the objective of this study to evaluate
the correlation between putative soluble markers of endothelial injury, activation,
and endothelial proliferation, and absolute numbers of CEC. CEC were evaluated in
125 healthy donors and 40 patients with metastatic carcinoma by automated CD146 driven
immunomagnetic isolation. Plasma concentrations of E-selectin, endoglin, and thrombomodulin
were assessed by ELISA in plasma obtained from 40 healthy donors and 40 patients.
CEC numbers in blood were positively correlated with plasma thrombomodulin levels,
but not with levels of E-se-lectin and endoglin. Multivariate analysis demonstrated
a significant increase in CEC numbers with age. The levels of plasma biomarkers were
not influenced by age. Higher levels of thrombomodulin and E-selectin were observed
in males when compared to females. In conclusion, CEC numbers correlate positively
with plasma levels of thrombomodulin.
Keywords
Biomarkers - CEC - endothelium - thrombomodulin - vascular damage