Cell-mediated lysis of autologous platelets in chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Eur J Haematol. 2006 May;76(5):427-31. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.2005.00622.x. Epub 2006 Feb 15.

Abstract

Objectives: Investigate the contribution and mechanism of cell-mediated cytotoxicity to the pathogenesis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Methods: We observed the cytotoxic effect of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) (CD8+) and natural killer cells (CD3- CD16+ CD56+) toward chronic ITP patient's autologous platelets, and investigated the expression of Fas ligand (FasL), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand, as well as perforin and granzyme B mRNA in CD8+ cells using flow cytometry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Results: We found that platelet lysis was seen only using purified CD8+ T cells as effector cells; expression of FasL and TNF-alpha in CD8+ T cells in ITP group was elevated. Moreover, the mRNA levels of granzyme B and perforin in CD8+ cells of ITP patients were increased.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that CTLs are activated in chronic ITP and might be involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Apoptosis and perforin/granzyme-mediated cytotoxicity constitute an important pathway through which CTLs destruct autologous platelets. CTLs might be a reasonable target for a therapeutic strategy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Autoantigens / immunology*
  • Blood Platelets / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / immunology*
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Granzymes
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Middle Aged
  • Perforin
  • Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / blood
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / immunology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / immunology
  • Serine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Serine Endopeptidases / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factors / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Autoantigens
  • FASLG protein, human
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • TNFSF10 protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Tumor Necrosis Factors
  • Perforin
  • GZMB protein, human
  • Granzymes
  • Serine Endopeptidases