CD-34 + and VE-cadherin + endothelial progenitor cells in preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancies.

•We report higher number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in preeclampsia.•CD-34+ vascular endothelial-cadherin+ were used as markers of EPCs.•Higher EPCs were unaffected by body mass index, maternal age, gestation or ethnicity.•The systolic blood pressure in preeclampsia correlated positively with EPC numbers.•Higher EPCs in preeclampsia may be a response of bone marrow to endothelial injury.