Gene expression analysis in the pathogenesis of chronic immune thrombocytopenia in children

Abstract

Background

A complex multifactorial dysregulation of immune system, including cytokines and autoantibodies production, and also proteins modification underlay the primary mechanism of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Specific genetic profile of ITP patients is presumed, especially those with a long and complex natural history of the disease.

Aim of the study

Gene expression analysis of VNN1 and PPARγ in children with immune thrombocytopenia.

Materials and methods

Candidate genes were identified with microarray cDNA procedure. For the validation of VNN1 and PPARγ expression changes we used qRT-PCR performed comparatively in samples of newly diagnosed ITP (ndITP, n=16), chronic ITP (cITP, n=8) and patients without thrombocytopenia (n=5).

Results

We analyzed the data of patients, followed for at least 12 months after ITP diagnosis. No significant differences of VNN1 expression profile were found in between groups (p>0.05). Lower signatures of mean PPARγ normalized expression values were noticed in chronic ITP patients in contrast to newly diagnosed ITP subjects (p=0.009). Differences between VNN1/PPARγ ratio values found in ndITP group comparing to subjects with progression to cITP were close to statistical significance (p=0.054).

Conclusions

Analysis of the VNN1 and PPARγ expression profiles utility in children diagnosed with ITP requires further investigation.