A subpopulation of circulating endothelial cells express CD109 and is enriched in the blood of cancer patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The endothelium is not a homogeneous organ. Endothelial cell heterogeneity has been described at the level of cell morphology, function, gene expression, and antigen composition. As a consequence of the genetic, transcriptome and surrounding environment diversity, endothelial cells from different vascular beds have differentiated functions and phenotype. Detection of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) by flow cytometry is an approach widely used in cancer patients, and their number, viability and kinetic is a promising tool to stratify patient receiving anti-angiogenic treatment.

Methodology/principal findings

Currently CECs are identified as positive for a nuclear binding antigen (DNA+), negative for the pan leukocyte marker CD45, and positive for CD31 and CD14

SUBMITTER: Mancuso P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4266608 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature