Expression of the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and its relationship with apoptosis on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Objective Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase(PARP) have been demonstrated to play an important role in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). In this study we assessed the expression of PARP on peripheral blood mononuclear cells with active or inacte SLE and tried to investigate the relationship between PARP and cell apoptosis on SLE. Methods Thirty definitive SLE patients and 10 healthy controls were enrolled. PBMC were separated from the peripheral blood samples. Western blot technique was applied to analyze the expression of PARP. Flow cytometry were applied to analyze the cell apoptosis. T test were used. Results The cell apoptosis in active patients with SLE was significantly higher than that of inactive patients with SLE and normal controls (the t values were 4.83 and 5.05 respectively, P<0.05). The level of PARP expression was significantly decreased in active patients with SLE as compared with controls and inactive patients with SLE (the t values were 7.66 and 7.07 respectively, P<0.05). At the same time, the cleavage fragment of PARP increased in active patients. Conclusion The results suggest that PARP may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE and the expression level may be a good indicator for disease activity of SLE. Decrease of PARP may promote the occurrence and development of SLE. In addition, PARP may play a certain role in adjusting cell apoptosis in patients with SLE. Key words: Lupus erythematosus, systemic; Apoptosis; Poly(ADPribose) polymerase; Peripheral blood mononuclear cell