Analysis of Precursor Endothelial Cells in Chronic Migraine (P04.242)

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether circulating endotelial precursor cells influence chronic migraine or not. Background Endothelial precursors cells (EPCs) have been involved in migraine in a single report. We have previously suggested an insufficiency of EPC maturation process by low VEGF levels. Now we studied the role of EPCs, VEGF and CGRP, in a sample of chronic migraine (CM) and episodic migraine (EM) patients, and non-headache controls. Design/Methods: After informed consent, EPCs number and subpopulations were assessed by multi-parametric flow cytometry in patients having CM (bouts >15 days/month, for at least the last 3 months), patients with EM (bouts Results: A total of 90 patients were included into the study [45 CM; aged 41 (±4.3); 45 adjusted EM, and 25 adjusted non-migraine controls]. There were no differences in the total number of EPCs and the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) among clinical groups. Nevertheless, we observed a significant low number of CD34+/KDR+CD62E+ EPCs (late EPCs) (p Conclusions: Although we could not differentiate migraine patients and controls regarding the total number of EPCs and CFUs, our results suggest that migraine patients have a distinct EPC maturation profile, shifted towards a more differentiated phenotypes than in controls. This might suggest an adaptive phenomenon and not an etiologic role for EPCs in migraine. Supported by: Granted by IFIMAV and ISCIII-FISS projects PI05/0388, PI08/0387, and PI11/01232. Disclosure: Dr. Munoz-Franco has nothing to disclose. Dr. Toriello has nothing to disclose. Dr. Palacio has nothing to disclose. Dr. Quintanilla has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ruiz-Lavilla has nothing to disclose. Dr. Montes has nothing to disclose. Dr. Castillo has nothing to disclose.