Cutaneous vasculitis (CV) involve the agression of endothelium of dermal microvessels. Although their physiopathology is actually not well understood, some experimental models have been developped in the literature showing that CV could be mediated by immune complexes (IC). Antibodies or auto-antibodies directed against membrane antigens of endothelial cells (AECA) have also been described in sera from patients affected by different immune-mediated vascular damage, such as systemic vasculitis. However, their antigenic specificity is unknown and the prevalence is very variable.In this study, we have investigated the presence of AECA in sera from 11 patients affected by CV, showing no systemic sign. Immunofluorescence assays were performed, followed by cytometry analysis. As compared to usual immunoenzymatic methods, flow cytometry was shown to be more sensitive and reproductible. Two cellular types were studied: human ombilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC). Since endothelial cells are known to express class I HLA antigens, the 11 sera were previously screened for the presence of anti-HLA class I antibodies, using microlymphocytoxicity assay.With both HUVEC and HDMEC, 1 out of 11 sera displayed an anti-endothelial cell surface binding. This serum, extracted from a multipare patient, was found positive for anti-HLA class I antibodies. So, no AECA was detected in the sera from the 11 patients affected by CV. These results are in disagreement with the hypothesis that AECA are present during CV showing no systemic sign. Since anti-HLA antibodies detection is often not performed, the presence of AECA could be ascribed to the presence of anti-HLA antibodies in the patient sera.