Figure 1From: Enhanced angiogenic potency of monocytic endothelial progenitor cells in patients with systemic sclerosisMonocytic EPCs enriched in culture on fibronectin. (a) Representative images of monocytic EPCs cultured for 10 days, from an SSc patient, an RA patient, and a healthy control. Adherent cells with a typical spindle shape are regarded as monocytic EPCs. Scale bars = 500 mm. (b) Monocytic EPCs were quantified in SSc patients, RA patients, and healthy controls, and expressed as the number in 1 mL of peripheral blood. Horizontal bars indicate the mean values. NS, not significant.Back to article page