CD144, CD146 and VEGFR-2 properly identify circulating endothelial cell

Studies evaluating circulating endothelial cells by flow cytometry are faced by a lack of consensus about the best combination of monoclonal antibodies to be used. The rarity of these cells in peripheral blood, which represent 0.01% of mononuclear cells, drastically increases this challenge.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to suggest some combinations of markers that would safely and properly identify these cells.MethodsFlow cytometry analysis of circulating endothelial cells was performed applying three different panels composed of different combinations of the CD144, CD146, CD31, CD133, CD45 and anti-Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 antibodies.ResultsIn spite of the rarity of the events, they were detectable and presented similar inter-person numbers of circulating endothelial cells.ConclusionThe combination of markers successfully identified the circulating endothelial cells in healthy individuals, with the use of three different panels confirming the obtained data as reliable.