Reduction of bcl-2 in T cells during immunosuppressive therapy in patients with severe juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus.
Overexpression of bcl-2 protein has been observed in the cytoplasm of T lymphocytes from adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aims of our study were to investigate the distribution of bcl-2 in T and B cells from patients affected with juvenile onset SLE (JSLE) and to monitor the modification of bcl-2 expression under immunosuppressive therapy. Thirty-two JSLE patients entered the study; 45 pathological and 16 healthy subjects were studied as controls. In SLE patients the disease activity was assessed using SLE disease activity index score. Bcl-2 expression was evaluated by cytofluorimetry. PCR analysis of t(14,18) translocation was performed from genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. An increased bcl-2 expression both on cytoplasm and on cell surface of circulating T lymphocytes in JSLE patients with active disease was found. A variation, under pharmacological treatment, of protein expression during the course of the disease was observed. PCR analyses demonstrated that 14, 18 translocation was not associated with bcl-2 overexpression. Our data show a strong correlation between bcl-2 protein expression and disease activity and suggest an alteration of apoptotic regulation in JSLE patients.
Falcini
F
F
Rheumatology Unit, University of Florence, Florence, 50132, Italy. falcini@cesit1.unifi.it
Azzari
C
C
Gelli
V A
VA
Luchetti
M
M
Gabrielli
A
A
Calzolari
A
A
Pignone
A
A
Generini
S
S
Matucci Cerinic
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000737:chemistry; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2