T-cell anti-apoptotic mechanisms in inflammatory myopathies

J Neuroimmunol. 2000 Nov 1;111(1-2):146-51. doi: 10.1016/s0165-5728(00)00381-7.

Abstract

Recent studies have shown an up-regulation of the Fas/Fas ligand system in inflammatory myopathies. In myositis, however, the major Fas-mediated cytotoxicity which activates caspases bypasses apoptosis. We therefore evaluated the expression of proteins promoting cell survival, such as bcl-2, bcl-x(l) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, on muscle biopsies from 14 patients with polymyositis, dermatomyositis, inclusion body myositis and HIV-associated myositis. Our data demonstrate that inflammatory cells are immunoreactive for bcl-x(l), p16 and p57, three apoptosis-preventing proteins. Hence, we assume that these proteins might protect T cells from apoptotic nuclear changes. Our results could explain the non-self-limiting nature of inflammatory myopathies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / immunology*
  • Biopsy
  • CD3 Complex / analysis
  • Cell Cycle Proteins*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / analysis
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / immunology
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p57
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cyclins / analysis
  • Cyclins / immunology
  • Dermatomyositis / immunology
  • Dermatomyositis / pathology
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / pathology
  • Humans
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / analysis
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / analysis
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / immunology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
  • Muscle, Skeletal / immunology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Myositis, Inclusion Body / immunology
  • Myositis, Inclusion Body / pathology
  • Nuclear Proteins / analysis
  • Nuclear Proteins / immunology
  • Polymyositis / immunology*
  • Polymyositis / pathology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / analysis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins*
  • bcl-X Protein
  • fas Receptor / analysis
  • fas Receptor / immunology

Substances

  • BCL2L1 protein, human
  • CD3 Complex
  • CDKN1A protein, human
  • CDKN1C protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p57
  • Cyclins
  • FASLG protein, human
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • bcl-X Protein
  • fas Receptor
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases