Fas/FasL in the immune pathogenesis of severe aplastic anemia

Genet Mol Res. 2014 May 30;13(2):4083-8. doi: 10.4238/2014.May.30.3.

Abstract

Fas/FasL protein expression of bone marrow hematopoietic cells was investigated in severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patients. Fas expression was evaluated in CD34(+), GlycoA(+), CD33(+), and CD14(+) cells labeled with monoclonal antibodies in newly diagnosed and remission SAA patients along with normal controls. FasL expression was evaluated in CD8(+) cells in the same manner. In CD34(+) cells, Fas expression was significantly higher in the newly diagnosed SAA group (46.59 ± 27.60%) than the remission (6.12 ± 3.35%; P < 0.01) and control (8.89 ± 7.28%; P < 0.01) groups. In CD14(+), CD33(+), and GlycoA(+) cells, Fas levels were significantly lower in the newly diagnosed SAA group (29.29 ± 9.23, 46.88 ± 14.30, and 15.15 ± 9.26%, respectively) than in the remission (47.23 ± 31.56, 67.22 ± 34.68, and 43.56 ± 26.85%, respectively; P < 0.05) and normal control (51.25 ± 38.36, 72.06 ± 39.88, 50.38 ± 39.88%, respectively; P < 0.05) groups. FasL expression of CD8(+) cells was significantly higher in the newly diagnosed SAA group (89.53 ± 45.68%) than the remission (56.39 ± 27.94%; P < 0.01) and control (48.63 ± 27.38%; P <0.01) groups. No significant differences were observed between the remission and control groups. FasL expression in CD8(+) T cells was significantly higher in newly diagnosed patients, and CD34(+), CD33(+), CD14(+), and GlycoA(+) cells all showed Fas antigen expression. The Fas/FasL pathway might play an important role in excessive hematopoietic cell apoptosis in SAA bone marrow. Furthermore, CD34(+) cells are likely the main targets of SAA immune injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anemia, Aplastic / genetics*
  • Anemia, Aplastic / immunology
  • Anemia, Aplastic / pathology
  • Antigens, CD34 / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, CD34 / genetics
  • Apoptosis / immunology
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics*
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism*
  • CD8 Antigens / biosynthesis
  • CD8 Antigens / genetics
  • Fas Ligand Protein / biosynthesis
  • Fas Ligand Protein / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / immunology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / biosynthesis
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / genetics
  • Male

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • CD8 Antigens
  • FAIM protein, human
  • FASLG protein, human
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens
  • PTPRC protein, human