EC monolayer phenotype in SLE and controls. (A) No differences in acetylated-LDL uptake were detected between SLE and controls, although there were significantly fewer cells in SLE cultures at day 15 (× 10 objective magnification). See “In vitro differentiation into mature ECs” for more image acquisition information. (B) Day 15 EC monolayers were analyzed for expression of HLA-DP, -R, and -Q and CD14. Dot plots display a representative healthy control and lupus patient. MHC class II and CD14 expression is consistent with CD14-derived CACs and did not differ between SLE and controls. (C) mRNA expression of proangiogenic factors on day 15 ECs from controls or SLE, normalized to GAPDH. HGF and VEGF-B expression was lower in lupus patients (1-tailed t test, P < .05 for HGF and P = .06 for VEGF-B). Results are mean (± SEM) of 8 patients and 4 controls. (D-E) Proangiogenic molecules are decreased in lupus sera. Results represent mean (± SEM) of 9 controls and 47 SLE patients.