In this study, we show using flow cytometry that, although there is no difference in the number of CD133+ and CD34+/VEGFR2+ progenitor cells and selected cytokines between patients with MRI-detected asymptomatic stable or unstable plaques of the internal carotid artery, a higher expression of the homing receptor CXCR4 on progenitor cells in subjects with unstable plaques could be detected. This result suggests a difference in the recruitment of progenitor cells to the injured tissue between subjects with stable and unstable plaques. Since surface expression of CXCR4 on progenitor cells differs, CXCR4 may represent a serological biomarker for plaque stability.
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In this study, we show using flow cytometry that, although there is no difference in the number of CD133+ and CD34+/VEGFR2+ progenitor cells and selected cytokines between patients with MRI-detected asymptomatic stable or unstable plaques of the internal carotid artery, a higher expression of the homing receptor CXCR4 on progenitor cells in subjects with unstable plaques could be detected. This result suggests a difference in the recruitment of progenitor cells to the injured tissue between subj...
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