Abstract
Here we evaluate the expression of Tim-3 in CD4+ T cells from patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). We also counted platelets and evaluated plasma IFN-γ, IL-18 and IL-4 levels in patients with active ITP (n=26), patients with ITP in remission (n=23) and in healthy subjects (n=34) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the mRNA expression of IL-18, IFN-γ, IL-4, T-box (T-bet) and Tim-3 was studied in the blood. The CD4+ Tim-3+ cells in blood were evaluated by flow cytometry and are expressed as a percentage of the total number of CD4+ cells. The Tim-3 positive cells within the circulating CD4+ population of newly diagnosed patients were significantly decreased compared to controls. However, T-bet, IL-18 and IFN-γ levels were significantly elevated in patients. Tim-3 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of ITP patients compared to controls. The decreased levels of Tim-3 during active stages of disease suggest a possible role in the pathogenesis and course of ITP and restoration of Tim-3 may be a reasonable therapeutic strategy for ITP.
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