Role of the Endothelium in Stroke-like Episode Among CDG Patients

The study consists in isolating endothelial progenitor cells in peripheral blood. After blood puncture, PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cell) are isolated by Ficoll gradient and then culturing in appropriated medium.

When cells are confluent, investigators can study the endothelial barrier by using permeability assay and transendothelial resistance test (iCELLigence technology).

Then, protein C system will be studied. Indeed, EPCR (Endothelial protein C receptor) and TM (thrombomodulin), are the two receptors responsible for the activation of protein C. The expression of these receptors will be assessed in flow cytometry. The activated protein C is able to interact with the third receptor PAR1 (Protease activated receptor 1) which is responsible for the protective effects of the on the endothelial barrier. The PAR1 expression will be studied in flow cytometry also.

In order to measure the capacity of the protein C system to generate activated protein C investigators will assay an activated protein C generation on the cell surface.

All these assays will be realized in basal condition and in heat stress (42°C), to mimic the stroke-like episode environment. Indeed, stroke-like episodes occur always during febrile illness.