title: Increased circulating endothelial cells and microparticles in patients with psoriasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psoriasis is a chronic pathology characterized by increased inflammation that can be associated with changes in the vascular endothelium. We quantified the levels of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and microparticles (MPs) in patients with psoriasis in order to analyze their relationship with endothelial and inflammation markers, subclinical atherosclerosis and microcirculation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 20 patients and 20 controls. Circulating markers of endothelial damage (CEC, MPs and von Willebrand factor, vWF) and inflammation (E-selectin, E-sel; Interleukin-6, IL-6 and C-reactive protein, CRP) were determined. Subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by carotid ultrasound to obtain intima-media thickness. Microcirculation was evaluated by nailfold capillaroscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CECs, MPs, vWF, CRP and E-sel levels were significantly elevated in patients when compared with controls (p <  0.05). Ninety-four and fifty-three percentage of patients had CEC and MP levels higher than 99th percentile in controls. Forty-seven percent of patients simultaneously showed increased CEC and MP levels. MPs correlate with the inflammatory markers and with the intima-media thickness. CECs correlate with the capillaries loops per mm (p <  0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psoriasis patients show elevated CECs and MPs, as a sign of endothelial dysfunction, which correlates with inflammatory markers as well as subclinical atherosclerosis and some capillaroscopy findings.
authors.affiliation: Research Center, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Vicenta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martínez-Sales
authors.affiliation: Research Center, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Virtudes
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vila
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ricart
authors.affiliation: Hemostasis Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Amparo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vayá
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Todolí
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Cornelio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nńñez
authors.affiliation: Hemostasis Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Contreras
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Carmén
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ballester
authors.affiliation: Research Center, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Edelmiro
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reganon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000276:immunology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Psoriasis; angiogenesis; circulating endothelial cells; microparticles