EXPRESSION OF Fas/FasL ON PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES IN ASTHMA CHILDREN AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

Yuan Y.S1, Gao L.N2, Wang L1

1. Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Hubei Medical Staff College, Jingzhou, Hubei, China

2. Laboratory of Immunology, The Second Hospital of Jingzhou, Jingzhou, Hubei, China

 

Objective: Because that Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) can lead to T-cell apoptosis, we investigated expression of Fas/FasL on peripheral blood T cells in asthma children and sought to explore the relationship between its clinical significance.

Methods: Lymphocytes were isolated with ficoll-hypaque gradient method and T lymphocytes were further purified with nylon pili. Expression of Fas/FasL was detected by immunofluoresence technique.

Result: Expression of Fas on T cells in 21 cases of the stage of attack (5.81±3.29) and in 15 cases of remission stage (9.86±4.54) were remarkably lower than those in 25 health children (13.72±5.33) (p<0.01). Expression of FasL on T cells in the stage of attack (3.22±1.74) was significantly increased compared with normal control group (2.31±1.05) (p<0.05) but those in remission patients (2.97±1.28) was not significantly changed. There was a remarkably negative relationship between expression of Fas and percentages of peripheral blood lymphocyte (r=-0.632, p<0.01).

Conclusion: The apoptosis of peripheral blood T lymphocytes from the children with asthma both in stage of attack and remission are decreased. The inhibited apoptosis might be one of reasons for the chronic persistent inflammation in the airways in asthmatic children and suggests that it is necessary to continue therapy in remission stage.

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