[DNA microarray analysis in nerve biopsies of patients with vasculitic neuropathy]

DNA microarray analysis is a powerful tool for simultaneous analysis and comparison of gene products expressed in normal and diseased tissues. We used this technique to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in nerve biopsy samples of vasculitic neuropathy (VAS) patients. We find novel previously uncharacterized genes of relevance to VAS pathogenesis. Genes upregulated in VAS include IGLJ3, IGHG3, IGKC, and IGL, which all function in B-cell selection or antigen recognition of B cells. Other upregulated genes are chemokines, such as CXCL9 and CCR2 and CX3CR1. Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1), a modulator of immune response is upregulated in VAS. We demonstrate by immunolocalisation the expression of AIF-1 in vascular smooth muscle cells, suggesting a role for AIF-1 in vascular remodeling in VAS. Microarray-based analysis of human nerve biopsies shows distinct gene expression patterns in VAS. DEGs might provide clues to the pathogenesis of this condition and help define potential targets for therapeutics.