文本框: INCREASED IGA ANTI-ENDOTHELIAL CELL ANTIBODY AND TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR-BETA (TGF-b) SECRETING T CELLS DURING ACUTE STAGE OF CHILDHOOD HENOCH-SCHONLEIN PURPURA Yang Y-H, Chiang B-L National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan Objective: Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a small vessel vasculitis characterized by increased serum IgA and IgA-dominant immune complex deposition in lesions. The involvement of IgA implies a probable role for TGF-b, a major factor in IgA production, in the pathogenesis of HSP. In addition to the clinical presentations and laboratory parameters, we further investigated the roles of IgA anti-endothelial cell antibodies and TGF-b in childhood HSP. Methods: Twenty-six Chinese children with the diagnosis of HSP were enrolled. Serum anti-endothelial cell antibody and TGF-b levels were determined. In addition, intracellular staining of lymphocytes was performed to enumerate type 1(interferon-gamma secreting), type 2 (IL-4 secreting), and type 3 (TGF-b secreting) helper T cells. Results: The data showed IgA anti-endothelial cell antibody levels were significantly elevated in patients compared with healthy controls, and those patients at the convalescent stage. In addition, TGF-b secreting T cells were significantly elevated during the acute stage, and decreased at the convalescent stage. Conclusion: Although more studies are needed, the high prevalence of IgA anti-endothelial cell antibodies and increased TGF b-secreting T cells in children with acute HSP revealed some points which should permit a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HSP. 1965