CD72 gene expression in immune thrombocytopenia

Platelets. 2012;23(8):638-44. doi: 10.3109/09537104.2011.633646. Epub 2011 Nov 23.

Abstract

To explore the role of CD72 in the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), we detected CD72, Sema4D, IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ mRNA expressions and the levels of plasma Sema4D, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-γ in ITP patients (n = 39) and controls (n = 23). The levels of plasma IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6 were assayed by radioimmunoassay, and the levels of plasma IFN-γ and Sema4D were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sema4D, CD72, IL-2, IFN-γ, and IL-4mRNA expressions were analyzed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The expression of CD72 mRNA in ITP patients (n = 23) with active disease was significantly lower than that in patients in remission (p = 0.029) (n = 16) and controls (p = 0.0296) (n = 23). The IFN-γ/IL-4 mRNA (Th1/Th2) expression in ITP patients with active disease and in remission was significantly higher than that in controls (p = 0.0023, p = 0.0125, respectively). The expression of IL-2 mRNA in ITP patients with active disease was significantly lower than that in patients in remission (p = 0.0418) and controls (p = 0.004). The level of plasma IL-2 in ITP patients with active disease was significantly lower than that in patients in remission (p = 0.0029) and controls (p = 0.0101). The levels of plasma IL-4 in ITP patients with active disease and in remission were significantly higher than that of controls (p = 0.0093, p = 0.0053, respectively). CD72 mRNA expression level might correlate with Sema4D mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and level of plasma IL-2 in active ITP patients (p = 0.024 and p = 0.036). Our findings suggest that CD72 might be involved in the pathophysiological process of the ITP disease by increasing B-cell receptor signals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD / blood
  • Antigens, CD / genetics*
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / blood
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / genetics*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Convalescence
  • Female
  • Gene Expression*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / blood
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Interleukin-2 / blood
  • Interleukin-2 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-4 / blood
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / blood
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • Semaphorins / blood
  • Semaphorins / genetics*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte
  • CD100 antigen
  • CD72 protein, human
  • IL4 protein, human
  • Interleukin-2
  • Interleukin-6
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Semaphorins
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma