Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Mixed Cryoglobulinemia

Objective. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are a rare population of circulating cells involved in vascular homeostasis. Our aim was to analyze EPC in patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC). Methods. EPC were evaluated by cytometry according to guidelines of the International Society for Hematotherapy and Graft Engineering in 17 patients with MC and 36 controls. Results. Numbers of EPC were significantly increased in MC compared to controls and correlated with cryocrit, but not with clinical manifestations of the disease. Conclusion. The high number of EPC might indicate an intact vascular repair ability. Alternatively, EPC might be defective in homing ability and their increase may represent the attempt to restore vascular integrity.