Expression of c-kit receptor in bone marrow mononuclear cells in children with aplastic anemia

Aim: To explore the expression of c-kit receptor in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) in the children with aplastic anemia and its role in the pathogenesis of pediatric aplastic anemia. Methods: Immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR were employed to determine c-kit protein and c-kit mRNA expressions in the BMMNC of 38 cases of chronic aplastic anemia(CAA),20 cases of severe aplastic anemia(SAA) and 29 normal controls. Positive cells were identified by the presence of buffy granules.The staining was determined by computerized pathology image analyzing system.The relative amount of c GAAB2 kit mRNA was compared with the amount of β-actin mRNA by densitometrical scanning preformed on photomicrographs of ethidium-stained agarose gel. Results: The values of c-kit protein expression in CAA,SAA and controls were 0.52± 8.81,0.46±2.18,0.58±7.94, respectively, and there was no significant difference among them(P0.05). The values of c-kit mRNA expression in CAA,SAA and control groups were 0.85±0.10,0.79± 0.09, 0.86±0.12, and there was no significant difference among them(P0.05). Conclusion: Hematopoiesis failure of pediatric aplastic anemia is not attributed to lower expression of c-kit receptor on the BMMNC.