Circulating endothelial cells: a marker of vascular damage in patients with preeclampsia

Objective Preeclampsia is a disorder of endothelial cells, and novel markers of the disease are eagerly awaited. We tested the hypothesis that circulating endothelial cells (CECs) are elevated in preeclampsia and that cell numbers correlate with disease activity. Study Design CECs were measured in 10 patients with preeclampsia as well as pregnant and nonpregnant controls. Cells were enumerated prior to delivery, 1 and 3-5 days thereafter. Enumeration of CECs was performed with anti-CD 146–driven immunomagnetic isolation and subsequent Ulex lectin staining. Results Markedly elevated CEC numbers were detected in women with preeclampsia (median 88 cells/mL; P < .001) when compared with normal pregnancies (median 16 cells/mL) and healthy nonpregnant women (12 cells/mL). There was a significant correlation of CEC numbers and systolic blood pressure ( P < .02). A rapid decline of cell numbers after delivery paralleled the clinical recovery. Conclusion Circulating endothelial cells are a novel marker of vascular damage in preeclampsia.