Altered circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with keloid

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Regenerative Medicine
• Vascular Biology
• Cellular and Molecular Medicine

Background:

• Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is implicated in keloid formation.
• Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) regulate endothelial function and repair.
• Circulating EPC levels in keloid patients remain unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the number of circulating EPCs in patients with keloid.
• To compare circulating EPC and VEGF levels between keloid patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Flow cytometry was used to quantify circulating EPCs (CD45- CD34+CD133+VEGFR2+ cells).
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measured plasma VEGF levels.
• Study included 39 keloid patients and 22 healthy controls.

Main Results:

• Circulating EPCs were detected in the peripheral blood of keloid patients.
• Patients with keloid exhibited significantly higher numbers of circulating EPCs compared to healthy controls.
• Plasma VEGF levels were also significantly elevated in keloid patients versus controls.
• No significant correlation was found between circulating EPC counts and serum VEGF levels.

Conclusions:

• This study presents the first evidence of increased circulating EPCs in keloid patients.
• Elevated EPCs may play a role in keloid pathogenesis.
• Further research into EPC function in keloid formation could inform new therapeutic approaches.