valuation of TNF alpha and interferon gamma gene expression related to TH1, TH2 cells in lupus

Abstract

SLE is an inflammatory autoimmune disease which affects many internal organs and sstems of human body. There are some immunological explanations for the mechanism of disease but precise understanding of pathophysiology of the disease and the role for body immune system is yet to be known. Cytokines are crucial components in immune system with pleiotropic function and understanding of their altered state and its effects on possible regulatory errors underlying the disease. There are certain knowledge about presence of T cells of immune system in lupus disease. In this study we evaluated gene expression levels of TNF-α & IFN-γ in association to Th1 and Th2 cells in SLE patients. There is a hope that this knowledge can provide useful information on diagnostic and treatment planning. Methods: In our study, we took peripheral blood samples from 32 confirmed SLE and 11 normal people as controls. Then Real time PCR study was held for TNF-α & IFN-γ associated mRNAs of all samples. The results were used in statistal analysis by several Tests using SPSS-18 software. Results: Results showed a correlation between disease and gene expressions of TNF-α & IFN-γ. The levels of TNF-α expression in patients were higher than in normal controls but the increase level was not significant. Also there was a decrease in levels of IFN-γ expressions in patients which was significant in comparison to normal controls.