title: Reduced number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CD133+/KDR+) in patients with plaque psoriasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psoriasis is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEPCs) play a significant role in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of CEPCs in patients with psoriasis compared to controls and assess possible correlations between the number of these cells and the plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) and clinical features of psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The number of CEPCs, identified as CD133+/KDR+ cells, was determined with flow cytometry in peripheral blood of psoriatic patients (n = 63) and controls (n = 31). The plasma levels of VEGF and sVEGFR-1 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of CEPCs was significantly reduced in psoriatic patients compared with controls (p = 0.000026) and inversely correlated with disease severity (R = -0.283; p = 0.0248).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A reduced number of CEPCs may contribute to endothelial dysfunction in patients with psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland. ola.batycka@interia.pl
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Batycka-Baran
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paprocka
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krawczenko
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kantor
authors.forename: Danuta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Duś
authors.forename: Jacek C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Szepietowski
mesh_terms: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; D006023:Glycoproteins; C000606023:PROM1 protein, human; D010455:Peptides; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2