Figure 1

Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) and circulating endothelial cell (CEC) levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared with controls (cells per 10⁶ lineage-negative [Lin^-] mononuclear cells). (a) Higher EPC levels (Lin^-7AAD^-CD34⁺CD133⁺VEGFR-2⁺) in RA patients (n = 59) than in controls (n = 36) (P < 0.001). (b) No significant difference between CEC levels (Lin^-7AAD^-CD105⁺CD133^-VEGFR-2⁺) in RA patients (n = 59) and controls (n = 15). 7AAD, 7-aminoactinomycin D; VEGFR-2, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2.