Elevated circulating VE-cadherin+CD144+endothelial microparticles in ischemic cerebrovascular disease

Circulating endothelial microparticles act as biological markers of endothelial function that reflect vascular injury. Here, we examined the hypothesis that the quantity of endothelial microparticles in the circulation is increased in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, and investigated the potential utility of various phenotypes of endothelial microparticles as specific biomarkers of endothelial cell dysfunction. We additionally focused on identifying endothelial microparticles that may be effectively utilized as biomarkers of stroke severity in acute ischemic stroke patients.

In total, 129 subjects, including 68 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke and 61 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, were included in the study. Levels of circulating endothelial microparticles (CD144+/CD41a-, CD31+CD41a-, CD62E+, Annexin V+CD62E+) and platelet-derived microparticles (CD41a+/CD144-) in platelet-free plasma of patients and controls were measured using flow cytometry.

Levels of circulating endothelial CD144+/CD41a-, CD31+CD41a-, CD62E+, and Annexin V+CD62E+microparticles, but not platelet microparticles, were significantly increased in acute ischemic stroke patients, compared with control subjects (p<0.05). Notably, levels of CD144+/CD41a- microparticles were significantly correlated with stroke severity. A mild degree of correlation was evident between Annexin V+CD62E+microparticles and stroke subtype. No association with stroke was observed for other microparticle phenotypes.

Circulating endothelial microparticle amounts are increased in acute ischemic stroke patients, compared with healthy subjects. Levels of CD144+/CD41a- microparticle, but not the other phenotypes examined, may be effectively utilized as a biomarker of ischemic severity in the clinic.