NK subsets and the expression of C-myc and ras oncoproteins in lymphocytes and monocytes from patients with Behcet's syndrome / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

The expression of C-myc, K-ras and H-ras oncoproteins in lymphocytesand monocytes, and NK subsets were studied in 21 patients with Behcet's syndrome (BS)and 40 healthy individuals. CD16~+,57~- cells of NK from BS patients were much decreasedwhen compared to the control. The positive percentages of three kinds of oncoprotein in BS lymphocytes and C-myc and K-ras oncoproteins in BS monocytes were significantly higher thanthat of the control. Positive correlations were found not only between C-myc expression oflymphocytes and serum ?-globulin%, IgM and IgG levels in BS, but also between C-mycexpression of monocytes and ESR. Expression of K-and H-ras oncoproteins in lympho-cytes and monocytes from BS patients were found to be negatively correlated with serumIgA level. Negative correlation was also found between C-myc expression in monocytesand CD16~+,57~- subset of NK. The significance of these results and the possible correlationsbetween BS and autoimmunity were discussed. It was suggeted that autoimmunity mightbe an important mechanism underlying BS.