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T-bet expression is upregulated in active Behçet's disease
1Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 54 Xianlie Road, Guangzhou 510060, P R China.
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|September 26, 2003
Summary
Behçet
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Behçet's disease is a multisystem inflammatory disorder.
- Ocular involvement, specifically uveitis, is a common and severe manifestation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate T-bet (T-box transcription factor) mRNA and protein expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with Behçet's disease and active uveitis.
Main Methods:
- Collected blood samples from 24 Behçet's disease patients with active uveitis and 16 healthy controls.
- Analyzed T-bet expression using semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for mRNA and western blot for protein.
- Assessed T-bet expression in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated PBMC.
Main Results:
- Significantly increased T-bet mRNA levels were observed in Behçet's disease patients compared to controls.
- A 62 kDa T-bet protein band was detected in patients but not in controls.
- No significant difference in T-bet expression was found after PHA stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Behçet's disease is linked to elevated T-bet expression.
- This suggests a role for T-helper 1 (Th1) cells in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease.