Article
Endothelial Progenitor Cells and vascular stiffness in Psoriasis vulgaris and Psoriasis arthritis
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Published: | September 1, 2015 |
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Introduction: Psoriasis (Ps) may be complicated by disease-associated joint inflammation (Psoriasis arthritis – PsA) in up to 40%. PsA is characterized by neo-formation of bone and connective tissue in close proximity to affected joints. Patients with both, Ps and PsA have been reported to display higher cardiovascular risks (CVR) as oposed to healthy subjects. Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) are critically involved in vascular repair and reduced EPC numbers / competence have been associated with increased CVR. Aim of the study was to analyze the EPC system and vascular stiffness in Ps and PsA.
Methods: Twenty-seven PsA and 18 Ps patients were included into the study, 22 healthy subjects served as controls. EPC regeneration was evaluated by a colony-forming assay, peripheral EPC numbers were enumerated by cytometric analysis (CD133+/KDR+ cells). Vascular stiffness was quantified by tonometric analysis of Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) and the vascular Augmentation Index (AIX).
Results: None of the analyzed parameters (EPC colony numbers, percentages of CD133+/KDR+ cells, PWV, and vascular AIX) differed between controls and patients with Ps and PsA. In addition, differences between Ps and PsA were also not significant.
Conclusion: Although Ps and PsA have been reported to coincide with higher CVR, indirect CVR parameters are not deteriorated. Thus, indirect procedures for CVR assessement may not be useful in certain types of autoimmune-mediated diseases such as Ps and PsA.