Expression of granulysin in peripheral blood of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and its clinical significance
- Author:
Cheng QIAN
1
Author Information
1. Department of Laboratory Diagnostics
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:
Academic Journal of Second Military Medical University
2006;27(11):1214-1217
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate the expression of granulysin (GNLY) in peripheral blood of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and its relationship with the development and progression of PBC. Methods: The real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of GNLY mRNA in the peripheral blood of 60 PBC patients, 60 healthy controls, and 60 patients with hepatitis-related cirrhosis; the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the expression of GNLY protein; and the expression differences were compared between patients with different stages of PBC. The correlation between the expression of GNLY protein with GNLY mRNA, the staging and hepatic functions of PBC patients was analyzed statistically. Results: The mean GNLY mRNA copy number in PBC group was significantly higher than those in healthy control group([2.7±2.5]× 108 vs [3.0±1.91]× 107 ;P<0.01) and hepatitis-related cirrhosis group([2.7±2.5]× 108 vs [4.7±3.6]× 105, P<0.001). Meanwhile, the serum level of GNLY protein in PBC groups was significantly higher than those in the healthy control group([15.48±3.24] ng/ml vs [4.76±2.32] ng/ml) and hepatitis-related cirrhosis group([15.48±3.24] ng/ml vs [2.57±1.84] ng/ml, P<0.01). We also found that the serum levels of GNLY protein in PBC patients at III, IV stages were significantly higher than those at I, II stages(P<0.001). The levels of serum GNLY protein in PBC patients were positively correlated with the levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase and alkaline phosphatase. Conclusion: The GNLY gene and protein expression levels are both higher in patients with PBC compared with those in normal controls and patients with hepatitis-related cirrhosis. The serum level of GNLY expression is associated with the development and progression of PBC, which may be helpful for monitoring the condition of PBC patients.
