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. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to suggest some combinations of markers that would safely and properly identify these cells. METHODS: Flow 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. RESULTS: In spite of the rarity of the events, they were detectable and presented similar inter-person numbers of circulating endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: The 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.