Decreased Number of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells (CD133+/KDR+) in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis.

Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of mortality in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but the precise mechanism of increased cardiovascular risk is unknown. Endothelial dysfunction plays a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEPCs) contribute to endothelial regeneration and their level may be affected by chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of CEPCs in patients with PsA (n = 24) compared with controls (n = 26). CEPCs were identified as CD133+/ KDR+ cells in peripheral blood, using flow cytometry. A significantly decreased number of CEPCs was observed in patients with PsA (p < 0.0001). The number of these cells was significantly, inversely correlated with the severity of skin and joint involvement (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), DAS28) and the level of C-reactive protein. We hypothesize that the reduced number of CEPCs may indicate and contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with PsA.