TELOMERIC PROFILE IN B LYMPHOCYTES FROM THE PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Abstract. Shortening of telomeres represents an important mechanism that limits the proliferative potential of cells. Telomeres are chromatin structures that perform capping and protection of the chromosome ends. In vertebrates, they consist of tandem hexameric repeated sequences (TTAGGG) that are associated with various specific proteins. Immune system is extremely susceptible to telomere loss, since cellular proliferation underlies self-renewal of T and B lymphocytes, being also quite necessary for their biological functions. Telomere loss in lymphocytes may contribute to development of immune deficiency, and predispose for autoimmune responses in the elderly. In this study, we analyzed telomere length, the rates of telomere loss, and the variability of telomeres in B cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients, and in healthy donors. Average values of telomere length in healthy donors were found to be, respectively, 1.9 and 2.3 kb longer for B cells, as compared with CD4+ и CD8+Т-lymphocytes. The same tendency was observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Estimated rate of telomere loss in B-cells was 20 bp per year in healthy donors, while being slightly faster in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Thus, telomere shortening in B lymphocytes, as well as other senescence mechanisms, may contribute to development of autoimmune disease. (Med. Immunol., 2011, vol. 13, N 2-3, pp 151-156)

Keywords

• telomeres
• b lymphocytes
• rheumathoid arthritis