[Role of Inflammasome in Children's Immune Thrombocytopenia]

To explore the role and the mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome in children's immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).

Twenty-one children suffered from ITP were enrolled in ITP group, 10 healthy children were selected in control group. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were isolated from ITP children and healthy controls. The mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1 in PBMNCs were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Moreover, the protein level of NLRP3 in PBMNCs was detected by Western blot. The plasma IL-18 level was detected by ELISA.

The expression level of NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA in newly-diagnosed ITP children was dramatically higher than that in control. The plasma IL-18 level was higher than that in healthy control. Furthermore, the level of NLRP3 protein was up-regulated in ITP children.

The NLRP3 inflammasome and up-regulated level of IL-18 have been found in newlydiagnosed ITP patients, and they may involve in the pathogenesis of ITP.