Enhanced NLRP3 and DEFA1B Expression During the Active Stage of Parenchymal Neuro-Behçet's Disease

In Vivo. 2019 Sep-Oct;33(5):1493-1497. doi: 10.21873/invivo.11629.

Abstract

Background/aim: Neurological symptoms (neuro-Behçet's disease; NBD) occur in a fraction of Behçet's disease (BD) patients and often present with parenchymal brain lesions and clinical exacerbations. Our aim was to identify genes associated with attack and remission periods of NBD.

Materials and methods: Microarray analysis was performed using peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples obtained during attack and remission periods of five NBD patients. Expression levels of the most significantly up-regulated genes were measured with real-time PCR using PBMC samples of 15 NBD patients and 20 healthy controls.

Results: During NBD attacks, the most remarkably up-regulated genes were defensin alpha 1B (DEFA1B) and NLR family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3). Real time PCR studies showed significantly increased DEFA1B and NLRP3 expression levels during attacks.

Conclusion: Immunological factors showing the most significant increase in expression during NBD attacks were primarily associated with innate immunity functions. DEFA1B and NLRP3 can be used as biomarkers for estimation of disease activity in NBD.

Keywords: Behçet's disease; inflammation; innate immunity; microarray; neuro-Behçet's disease.

MeSH terms

  • Behcet Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Behcet Syndrome / etiology*
  • Biomarkers
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Gene Expression*
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / genetics*
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / metabolism
  • Phenotype*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Whole Genome Sequencing
  • alpha-Defensins / genetics*
  • alpha-Defensins / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLRP3 protein, human
  • alpha-Defensins
  • human neutrophil peptide 1