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Cited by 7Endometriosis Research and TreatmentEctopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and ManagementGynecological conditions and treatments

Levels of circulating angiogenic cells are not altered in women with endometriosis

Webster, K.E., Kennedy, S.H., Becker, C.M.·2013·Human Reproduction
DOI 10.1093/humrep/des454
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Abstract

STUDY QUESTION: Are levels of circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) affected by the presence of endometriosis? SUMMARY ANSWER: Levels of CACs are equivalent in women with and without endometriosis. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Murine models have suggested a role for CACs in the development of endometriosis, but their levels in humans have not yet been studied. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Eighty-seven women participated in this study. Recruitment took place from July 2010 to May 2012. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: All women underwent laparoscopy for investigation of symptoms suggestive of endometriosis. Thirty women had no evidence of endometriosis, and 47 women were found to have endometriosis at laparoscopy. CAC levels were determined in peripheral blood by flow cytometry in 64 women. Colony forming unit (CFU) analysis was conducted in 30 women. A separate group of 10 healthy, asymptomatic women donated blood at four time points to assess the effect of the menstrual cycle on CAC levels. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: For the whole sample, CAC levels (0.0797 ± 0.0052%) and CFU number (10.68 ± 1.98) were equivalent in women with and without endometriosis. CAC levels and CFU number were also unaffected by the stage of disease. No changes in CACs were detected during the menstrual cycle. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: A difference of at least one standard deviation between the groups would be required to detect a difference with this sample size. Therefore, while CAC levels are not a useful biomarker of disease it is still possible that they are modestly altered by the presence of endometriosis. We did not describe specific types of lesion and it is possible that CAC elevation only occurs when vessel development is at its most prolific. Furthermore, although signals from endometriotic lesions may recruit CACs from blood, this may be insufficient to alter peripheral levels. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: These data show that CACs are not a useful biomarker of endometriosis and indicate that they may be unaffected by the presence of this disease. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was supported by grants from the MRC (New Investigator Award, G0601458 to C.M.B.), the Oxford Partnership Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre with funding from the Department of Health's NIHR Biomedical Research Centres Scheme and the Oxfordshire Health Services Research Committee (OHSRC). There are no conflicts of interest to be declared.

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Crossref · 10.1093/humrep/des454

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  • The potential use of circulating angiogenic cells as biomarkers for endometriosis has been examined, but no difference between endometriosis patients and controls could be detected.

    “Additionally, the potential use of circulating angiogenic cells as biomarkers for endometriosis has been examined, but no difference between endometriosis patients and controls could be detected [98].”

    From Update on biomarkers for the detection of endometriosis (2015) · cites this paper as [98]

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Authors
Webster, K. E., Kennedy, S. H., & Becker, C. M.
Affiliations
John Radcliffe Hospital (GB)
Corresponding author
Webster, K.E.
ORCID
Venue
Human Reproduction
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2013-01-14
Volume
28
Issue
3
Pages
651-657
ISSN
  • 0268-1161 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2350
DOI
10.1093/humrep/des454
OpenAlex
W2133891301
Cited by
7
References
33
Citations by year
2024: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2
FWCI
1.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Human Reproduction (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Endometriosis Research and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Gynecological conditions and treatments
Keywords
endometriosis, circulating angiogenic cells, angiogenesis, biomarkers, colony-forming units, menstrual cycle, disease stage, peripheral blood, endometriotic lesions, endometriosis surgery
MeSH terms
Adult, Colony-Forming Units Assay, Endometriosis, Estradiol, Female, Flow Cytometry, Humans, Menstrual Cycle, Neovascularization, Pathologic, Laparoscopy, Progesterone, Severity of Illness Index, Stem Cells, Biomarkers

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