BLyS and APRIL expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of cryptococcal meningitis patients and their clinical significance

Objective: To investigate the levels of APRIL, BlyS and receptors as TACI, BCMA and BAFF-R in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) patients and its clinical significance. Methods: PBMC from 30 CM patients and 32 healthy controls were isolated. The mRNA levels of APRIL, BLyS and BLyS receptors were detected by fluorescent quantitation PCR. The effect of PBMC from CM patients on in vitro growth of Cryptococcus neoformans was compared in presence and absence of BLyS. Results: PBMC of CM patients exhibited significantly lower BLyS, TACI and BCMA mRNA levels but significantly higher BAFF-R mRNA levels than controls. Growth of C. neoformans was significantly slower in presence of BLyS than its absence. Conclusion: Levels of BlyS and its receptors correlated with cryptococcal meningitis progression, and Provide new clues for monitoring CM conditions and its effective therapy. (C) 2009 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.