Lymphocyte ceruloplasmin and Behçet's disease.
BACKGROUND
Behçet's disease (BD) is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology. However, it has been postulated that a dysregulation of the prooxidant/antioxidant balance may be important to its pathogenesis. Ceruloplasmin (CP) is an acute phase protein expressed at the surface of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) with antioxidant properties and with a relevant role in iron (Fe) metabolism.


OBJECTIVE
To study CP expression at the surface of PBL (PBLCP) in patients with BD.


METHODS
We measured serum CP and PBLCP obtained from BD patients (n=10) and respective controls (n=10) using nephelometry and flow cytometry techniques, respectively. Additionally, haematological parameters, biochemical Fe metabolism markers [serum Fe, serum ferritin, serum transferrin, total Fe binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation] and non-specific markers of inflammation [serum C reactive protein (CRP), beta2-microglobulin] were measured in all individuals.


RESULTS
Despite the absence of significant differences between the two study groups when comparing serum CP, a significant difference in PBLCP was found in BD patients mainly due to a significant decrease of CP expression at the surface of CD3-CD56+ lymphocytes. Also, a significant decrease of PBLCP was observed in patients treated with azathioprine compared to patients that were not being treated with this drug.


CONCLUSIONS
According to this study, we suggest that the significant decrease of PBLCP observed in BD patients might be due to azathioprine treatment and not directly related to the pathophysiology of BD.
Oliveira
Rita
R
Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa.
Banha
João
J
Martins
Fátima
F
Paixão
Eleonora
E
Pereira
Dina
D
Barcelos
Filipe
F
Teixeira
Ana
A
Patto
José Vaz
JV
Costa
Luciana
L
D000328:Adult; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D002570:Ceruloplasmin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D002570:Ceruloplasmin