Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology

Abstract Background: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), is an acquired autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of anti platelet antibodies, resulting in the destruction of platelets and inhibition of their production. Several studies have demonstrated that Tcells are also implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic ITP. Numerous cytokine profile studies have revealed a clear T helper1 (Th1) cytokine polarization of the autoimmune response in patients with chronic ITP. Several investigators have recently shown the marked upregulation of interleukin IL-17-producing T cells (Th17) in the patients with chronic ITP. IL-17F is a novel member of a family of cytokines (IL-17) that are involved in the regulation of T-cell responses. IL-17F polymorphism was reported to be associated with the development of some autoimmune disease including asthma, inflammatory bowel disease multiple sclerosis and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Aim: The current case-control study aimed at detecting the frequency of IL-17F gene polymorphism in the patients with ITP as genetic marker for ITP risk and to clear out their possible role in the pathogenesis of ITP. Subjects and Methods: IL-17F gene polymorphisms were studied in 75 ITP patients and 75 healthy controls by PCR amplification of the target gene followed by allele specific restriction enzyme digestion (RFLP technique). Odds ratios (ORs) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to compare the distribution of alleles and genotypes between cases and controls

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