Apoptosis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in patients with systemic lupus erythem atosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the apoptosis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)from systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)patients and the expression of apoptotic molecules.Methods BMSCs were isolated from bone marrow of SLE patients and normal controls by density eentrifugation and adhesive culture in vitro.The apoptosis of BMSCs were evaluated by TUNEL assay.The expressions of Fas.Bcl-2 and the activity of Caspase 8 were detected by flow cytometry.Real-time PCR technique was used to determine the gene expressions of Fas,Bcl-2,Bax,Bcl-w,Caspase 8 and Apaf-1.Meanwhile,cytochrome C was detected by immunocytochemistry.Statistical analysis was conducted with t-test and Mann-Whitney rank test.Results The percentage of apoptotic BMSCs increased in SLE patients compared with healthy donors[(64±10)%vs [14±9)%,U=0,P0.05).Conclusion BMSCs from SLE patients undergo more apoptosis,the mechanisms may be associated with the down regulation of Bcl-2,up-regulation of Cytoehrome C in cytoplasm and the activation of Caspase 8,which directs the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways.