Increased Soluble Cytoplasmic Bcl-2 Protein Serum Levels and Expression and Decreased Fas Expression in Lymphocytes and Monocytes in Juvenile Dermatomyositis

J Rheumatol. 2018 Nov;45(11):1577-1580. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.171248. Epub 2018 Aug 1.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate soluble Fas antigen (sFas), sFas ligand (sFasL), soluble tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, and soluble cytoplasmic Bcl-2 protein (sBcl-2) serum levels, Fas and Bcl-2 expressions in T and B lymphocytes and monocytes and relations with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), Childhood Myositis Assessment Scale, and manual muscle testing in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).

Methods: Serum levels were determined by ELISA and peripheral cell expressions by flow cytometry for patients with JDM or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and healthy controls.

Results: Patients with JDM had increased sBcl-2, which correlated with CRP. Expression of Bcl-2 was increased and expression of Fas was decreased in CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes compared with JIA and/or healthy controls.

Conclusion: Patients with JDM presented a unique apoptosis-related proteins profile, which may contribute to disease development.

Keywords: APOPTOSIS; FASL AND TRAIL; JUVENILE DERMATOMYOSITIS; LYMPHOCYTES; MONOCYTES; SOLUBLE BCL-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / metabolism
  • Blood Sedimentation
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dermatomyositis / metabolism*
  • Fas Ligand Protein / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Monocytes / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / blood*
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / blood
  • Young Adult
  • fas Receptor / blood*

Substances

  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • fas Receptor