Chromosome aberrations in Raynaud's phenomenon.
We evaluated the occurrence of spontaneous chromosome damage in cultured peripheral lymphocytes of subjects with idiopathic and pre-scleroderma Raynaud's phenomenon, by means of molecular cytogenetic analysis. Using the micronucleus assay as a marker of chromosome alteration, we studied 30 patients with pre-scleroderma Raynaud's phenomenon, 30 patients with idiopathic Raynaud's phenomenon and 30 healthy subjects. All subjects were classified as ANA-, ACA+ or Scl 70+. To identify the mechanism of micronucleus formation, fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis was also performed. Pre-scleroderma Raynaud's phenomenon subjects showed significantly higher micronucleus frequencies than idiopathic Raynaud's phenomenon subjects and controls (37.0 +/- 11.5 vs. 11.1 +/- 3.2 and 10.7 +/- 2.7 respectively p < 0.0001). Interestingly, subjects with idiopathic Raynaud's phenomenon displayed micronucleus frequency comparable to that of healthy controls. Furthermore, ACA+ subjects showed the highest micronucleus frequencies (41.0 +/- 7.6) as compared to subjects with Scl 70+ antibody (25.0 +/- 3.5). Our results show that circulating lymphocytes of only pre-scleroderma Raynaud's phenomenon subjects undergo chromosomal damage, as detected by the micronucleus assay, at a higher rate than expected. No prevalence of aneuploidogenic or clastogenic events in micronucleus formation is revealed by fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis.
Porciello
Giovanni
G
Servizio di Reumatologia Ospedale Misericordia e Dolce di Prato, Italy g.porciello@katamail.com
Scarpato
Roberto
R
Storino
Franca
F
Migliore
Lucia
L
Ferri
Clodoveo
C
Cagetti
Francesca
F
Morozzi
Gabriella
G
Bellisai
Francesca
F
Marcolongo
Roberto
R
Galeazzi
Mauro
M
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000235:genetics*