Evaluating CD72 Expression in ITP B Cells

In a study published in Hematology, researchers evaluated CD72 expression levels and any associated functions in B lymphocytes in patients with purpura due to immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). After the controlled trial, the researchers reported that upregulated CD72 expression in B lymphocytes correlated with active ITP status.

The study included 18 patients with ITP and 19 healthy individuals or patients with iron-deficiency anemia as controls. Researchers measured CD72 expression levels in B lymphocytes with flow cytometry, B cell proliferation with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation (BrdU) in cultures, as well as anti-human platelet antigen (HPA) antibodies, B cell proliferation-related cytokine interleukin (IL-1), and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

CD72 Expression Correlates With ITP and B Cell Proliferation

According to the report, CD72 expression was significantly higher in B celmission. Furthermore, the researchers found in vitro B cell proliferation significantly decreased with the addition of CD72 antibodies in both patients and controls when compared with an isotype antibody addition; however, anti-HPA antibody production was not significantly changed in the ITP group.

Lastly, the addition of CD72 antibodies increased IL-1 and MIF levels in cell culture supernatant from patients with ITP, but this increase was not seen in controls. Given this result, the authors suggested that “the function of CD72 in B cell proliferation in ITP may be related to IL-1 and MIF secretion.”

Overall, the authors stated that their “research demonstrated CD72 expression elevation in ITP patients’ B cells is associated with the immune abnormality of active patients.”

Related: CD4+ Cells for Predicting Treatment Response in ITP