BACKGROUND

Adult chronic immune thrombocytopenia (chronic ITP) is a common autoimmune hemorrhagic disease characterized by decreased platelet production and increased platelet destruction, leading to thrombocytopenia. In this study, Ca, calnexin (CNX) and calreticulin (CRT) within platelets from adult patients with chronic ITP were investigated.

METHODS

Platelets were isolated from blood specimen collected from 20 adult patients with chronic ITP and 20 healthy volunteers. Ca, CNX and CRT were determined by flow cytometry, and the results were analyzed with EXPO32 ADC software.

RESULTS

Flow cytometry showed the expressions of Ca (74.19±19.40% vs 22.79±10.47%) was elevated (<0.05). However, CNX (15.10±7.32% vs 41.79±14.45%) and CRT (25.11±12.66% vs 38.58±12.02%) were decreased markedly in platelets from adult patients with chronic ITP (<0.05 compared with healthy volunteers).

CONCLUSION

Based on enhanced expression of Ca and attenuated expression of CNX and CRT in patients with chronic ITP, Ca concentration and its associated down-regulated proteins may be important regulatory signals in the pathogenesis of chronic ITP.