Correlation between circulating endothelial cell counts and plasma thrombomodulin levels as markers for endothelial damage

Michiel H. Strijbos; Chandra Rao; Paul I. M. Schmitz; Jaco Kraan; Cor H. Lamers; Stefan Sleijfer; Leon W. M. M. Terstappen; Jan W. Gratama

doi:10.1160/TH08-02-0122

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Table of Contents

Thromb Haemost 2008; 100(04): 642-647
DOI: 10.1160/TH08-02-0122

Endothelium and Vascular Development

Schattauer GmbH

Correlation between circulating endothelial cell counts and plasma thrombomodulin levels as markers for endothelial damage

Authors

Michiel H. Strijbos

¹Laboratory of Medical and Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Chandra Rao

²Immunicon Corporation, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, USA
Paul I. M. Schmitz

³Department of Trials and Statistics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Jaco Kraan

¹Laboratory of Medical and Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Cor H. Lamers

¹Laboratory of Medical and Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Stefan Sleijfer

¹Laboratory of Medical and Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Leon W. M. M. Terstappen

²Immunicon Corporation, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, USA
Jan W. Gratama

¹Laboratory of Medical and Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract

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Summary

Increased numbers of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) in peripheral blood have been observed in diseases with vascular involvement, and are considered a promising surrogate marker for vascular damage. It was the objective of this study to evaluate the correlation between putative soluble markers of endothelial injury, activation, and endothelial proliferation, and absolute numbers of CEC. CEC were evaluated in 125 healthy donors and 40 patients with metastatic carcinoma by automated CD146 driven immunomagnetic isolation. Plasma concentrations of E-selectin, endoglin, and thrombomodulin were assessed by ELISA in plasma obtained from 40 healthy donors and 40 patients. CEC numbers in blood were positively correlated with plasma thrombomodulin levels, but not with levels of E-se-lectin and endoglin. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant increase in CEC numbers with age. The levels of plasma biomarkers were not influenced by age. Higher levels of thrombomodulin and E-selectin were observed in males when compared to females. In conclusion, CEC numbers correlate positively with plasma levels of thrombomodulin.

Keywords

Biomarkers - CEC - endothelium - thrombomodulin - vascular damage

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References

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