Enhanced expression of the tumour necrosis factor/cachectin gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic vasculitis

Abstract

SUMMARY: The expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic vasculitis. periarteritis nodosa and Wegener's granulomatosis, has been studied by RNA dot blot and Northern blot assays. We further examined the transcriptional level of TNF-α gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these patients by performing nuclear run on transcription assay. We demonstrate enhanced TNF-α gene expression in mononuclear cells from these patients compared with healthy subjects and patients with bronchial asthma. These findings suggest that the enhanced transcription of TNF-α gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic vasculitis may be involved in the pathophysiology/pathogenesis of these diseases by cylokine dysregulation.