Circulating endothelial cells in coronary artery disease
Magdalena Lampka1, Zofia Grąbczewska, Ewa Jendryczka-Maćkiewicz
1Department of Pathobiochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, Poland. lampka@cm.umk.pl
Kardiologia Polska
|October 23, 2010
Summary
Circulating endothelial cell (CEC) counts are elevated in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients, but not stable angina (SA) patients, compared to healthy individuals. Further research is needed to assess CECs for diagnosing acute coronary syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biomarker Discovery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Endothelial damage and dysfunction are key in coronary artery disease (CAD) pathophysiology.
- Quantifying circulating endothelial cells (CECs) in peripheral blood offers a novel approach to assess endothelial damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of single CEC quantification in peripheral blood via flow cytometry for CAD patients.
- To compare CEC counts in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stable angina (SA) against healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to quantify CECs (CD31, CD146, CD45 antibodies) in 48 CAD patients (23 AMI, 25 SA) and 20 controls.
- Plasma von Willebrand Factor (vWF) and thrombomodulin (TM) were measured by ELISA.
- Serum troponin I (TnI) and lipid parameters were analyzed.
Main Results:
- CEC counts were significantly higher in AMI patients versus controls (p < 0.05) and SA patients (p < 0.05).
- No significant difference in CEC counts was observed between SA patients and controls.
- CEC count correlated positively with vWF activity (r = 0.3852) and the TC/HDL-C atherogenic index (r = 0.3844) in all CAD patients.
Conclusions:
- CEC quantification by flow cytometry is feasible in CAD patients (AMI and SA).
- Elevated CEC counts were observed in one-third of AMI patients compared to controls and SA patients.
- Additional studies with larger cohorts are necessary to determine if CEC counts can enhance acute coronary syndrome diagnosis.
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