OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression and clinical significance of T cell immunoglobulin mucin (TIM)-1, TIM-3 and T cell-specific transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 in spleen mononuclear cells in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). METHODS: The spleen samples were obtained from 17 active ITP patients and 10 controls with spleen traumatic rupture. By using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, the mRNA expressions of TIM-3, TIM1, T-bet and GATA-3 were studied in all subjects. RESULTS: TIM-3 mRNA levels of active ITP patients were significantly decreased to (29 ± 16)% of that of control, TIM-1 mRNA levels of active ITP patients increased to (3.20 ± 2.18) folds of that of control, but the difference was not significant. The ratio of TIM-1/ TIM-3 was elevated in active ITP patients. T-bet mRNA levels were up-regulated in ITP patients by (2.82 ± 1.57) folds (P<0.05) and the expression of GATA3 was decreased by 14% folds (P<0.05) compared to controls. The ratio of T-bet/GATA3 were significantly elevated in ITP patients. CONCLUSION: The imbalance between TIM-3 and TIM-1 expression might play an important role in pathogenesis of ITP.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression and clinical significance of T cell immunoglobulin mucin (TIM)-1, TIM-3 and T cell-specific transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 in spleen mononuclear cells in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). METHODS: The spleen samples were obtained from 17 active ITP patients and 10 controls with spleen traumatic rupture. By using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, the mRNA expressions of TIM-3, TIM1, T-bet and GATA-3 were studied in all subjects. RESULTS:TIM-3 mRNA levels of active ITP patients were significantly decreased to (29 ± 16)% of that of control, TIM-1 mRNA levels of active ITP patients increased to (3.20 ± 2.18) folds of that of control, but the difference was not significant. The ratio of TIM-1/ TIM-3 was elevated in active ITP patients. T-bet mRNA levels were up-regulated in ITP patients by (2.82 ± 1.57) folds (P<0.05) and the expression of GATA3 was decreased by 14% folds (P<0.05) compared to controls. The ratio of T-bet/GATA3 were significantly elevated in ITP patients. CONCLUSION: The imbalance between TIM-3 and TIM-1 expression might play an important role in pathogenesis of ITP.