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Decreased TCR zeta-chain expression in T cells from patients with acquired aplastic anaemia.

Solomou EE, Wong S, Visconte V, Gibellini F, Young NS

Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. elenasolomou@hotmail.com

In aplastic anaemia, T cells have a central role in the pathophysiology of bone marrow destruction. This study showed that T cells from patients with aplastic anaemia expressed decreased T-cell receptor (TCR) zeta-chain protein and mRNA levels compared to healthy controls. Patients with decreased TCR zeta-chain showed an abnormal response in intracellular calcium following stimulation through the TCR. We also observed an altered pattern of the transcription factors CREMalpha and Elf-1 that are implicated in zeta-chain transcription. We concluded that TCR zeta-chain expression was decreased in the majority of patients with aplastic anaemia, regardless of disease activity or treatment status.

Published 8 June 2007 in Br J Haematol, 138(1): 72-6.
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