Effect of Protein Kinase C on Proliferation and Apoptosis of T Lymphocytes in Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Children

It is well-documented that T lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis are abnormal in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) children. However, the underlying regulation mechanisms especially in terms of signal transduction remain unknown. In this paper, we reported the changes of protein kinase C (PKC) activity in peripheral blood T lymphocytes and the effect of PKC on T lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis. We demonstrated that in ITP children, the activator (PMA) and inhibitor (H-7) of PKC affected on T lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis dramatically, but they altered little in healthy children. PKC activity was significantly enhanced in ITP children together with an increased expression of FasL on CD3 + T, CD4 + T and CD8 + T cells, resulting in a positive correlation between PKC activity and the expression of FasL on T cells. While the PKC activity and the platelet count were negatively correlated. Taken together, our findings suggest that the PKC activation may enhance T lymphocytes activity, suppress T cell apoptosis and be involve in thrombocytes damage as a mechanism related to immune pathogenesis of ITP. Cellular & Molecular Immunology. 2005; 2(3):197-203.