Circulating endothelial cells and rheumatoid arthritis: relationship with plasma markers of endothelial damage/dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
RA is associated with endothelial cell dysfunction (ECD) and increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) are a novel marker of severe endothelial damage. We hypothesized altered CECs in patients with RA compared with community controls (CCs) and hospital controls (HCs, with diabetes and hypertension) correlate with established plasma markers of inflammation and of ECD.


METHODS
CECs (CD146-immunobeads), von Willebrand factor, soluble E-selectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, soluble vascular endothelial adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM, all ELISA) and C-reactive protein (CRP, immunonephelometry) were measured in 57 patients with RA, 45 CC and 23 HC patients.


RESULTS
CECs in RA [median/interquartile range 8 (5-13.5) cells/ml] were elevated compared with either CC [4 (2-8.5) cells/ml] or HC [4 (1-8) cells/ml] (both P < 0.001). Levels of CECs did not correlate with other markers of ECD or of inflammation but did correlate inversely with sVCAM.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence of endothelial damage in the form of mildly increased numbers of CECs is present in RA and is independent of plasma markers of inflammation and of ECD.
Foster
Will
W
University Department of Medicine, City Hospital, Birmingham, B18 7QH, UK.
Shantsila
Eduard
E
Carruthers
David
D
Lip
Gregory Y H
GY
Blann
Andrew D
AD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002452:Cell Count; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015415:Biomarkers; D018836:Inflammation Mediators