cqvip:Background/Aims: We have reported quantitative and qualitative differences in bone marrow (BM) progenitor cells in autoimmune hepatitis type- 1 (AIH- 1) an d primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). This study investigated the apoptotic feature s and cytokine suppressors of haematopoiesis in long- term cultures of BM monon uclear cells (BMMCs) from AIH- 1 and PBC patients. Methods: Apoptotic markers a nd CD14 expression were evaluated in 13 AIH- 1 patients, 13 PBC patients, 12 ci rrhotic controls and 10 healthy subjects. TNF- α , TGF- β and IFN- γ wer e determined using ELISAs. Results: All apoptotic markers and CD14 were increase d in AIH- 1 and PBC compared to controls (P< 0.0001). Fas+ cells were positiv ely correlated (P=0.0001) with apoptotic cells in AIH- 1 and PBC. TNF- α and IFN- γ were higher in AIH- 1 (P=0.003 and P=0.001) and PBC (P=0.0001) compa red to controls. No differences were found between the control groups. Conclusio ns: We demonstrate for the first time that the apoptotic process, macrophage act ivation and the production of cytokine suppressors of haematopoiesis in BMMCs fr om AIH- 1 and PBC patients are higher compared to controls. The Fas- FasL path way is likely to be involved in the apoptotic process; the increased levels of s elected cytokines may contribute to Fas- FasL stimulation. Cirrhosis appears un likely to be the cause of the above findings.
展开▼
