A Study on the Association between Expression of p53 Protein and Apoptosis of Lymphocytes in Patients with SLE

The association between the expression of p53 protein in the peripheral blood of patients with SLE and apoptosis of lymphocytes was determined by using Annexin V united PI staining method and the immunofluorescence staining It was found that the percentages of apoptosis in lymphocytes of patients with active SLE were highly elevated,but those in patients with inactive SLE moderately elevated in comparison with those of the normal controls There was significant correlation between lymphocyte apoptosis and activities of disease in patients with SLE The expression of p53 protein was significantly reduced in patients with active SLE,but moderately reduced in cases with inactive SLE,These expressions showed marked correlation with disease activity index SLEDAI,anti dsDNA antibodies as well as C3 and C4 levels,The apoptotic rates of the in vitro cultivation of peripheral blood lymphocytes increased in comparison with those of the normal controls These results indicate that imbalance of the apoptotic mechanism in vitro exists in patients with SLE