Bcl-x(L) expression in vivo in rheumatoid synovium.
To examine the expression of the apoptosis regulatory protein, Bcl-x(L), in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Immunohistochemistry for Bcl-x(L) was carried out on synovial samples from patients with RA and OA. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis were performed to qualitatively examine the expression of Bcl-x(L). Bcl-x(L) expression was detected in the lining, endothelium and inflammatory cells of both RA (n=20) and OA (n=10) samples. However, there was significantly more expression in the lining of RA synovium compared to OA (77 vs 61%, p<0.05). Many of the positive cells in the RA subsynovium were noted to be plasma cells. There was a significant correlation between Bcl-x(L) expression and the number of inflammatory cells in the subsynovium of RA and OA patients (r (s)=0.376, p<0.05, n=30). Age and disease duration did not correlate with Bcl-x(L) expression in rheumatoid patients. Bcl-x(L) may play a role in the extended survival of synoviocytes and inflammatory cells in rheumatoid synovium.
Department of Medicine, Cork University Hospital, National University of Ireland, Wilton, Cork, Ireland. sandra_busteed@hotmail.com
S
S
Busteed
M W
MW
Bennett
C
C
Molloy
A
A
Houston
M A
MA
Stone
F
F
Shanahan
M G
MG
Molloy
J
J
O'Connell
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D051020:bcl-X Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051020:bcl-X Protein