Expression of T-bet and GATA3 in children with acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Objective: To study the expression of transcriptional factors T-bet and GATA3 mRNA and the levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in blood in children with acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and investigate the tendency of polarization of Th1/Th2 in children with ITP.

Methods: Blood T-bet and GATA3 mRNA expression were examined using RT-PCR and plasma IFN-gamma and IL-4 levels were measured using EIASA in children with acute ITP in acute (n=30) and remission stages (n=28). Twenty healthy children served as the controls.

Results: Blood T-bet mRNA expression and IFN-gamma levels in children with ITP in the acute stage were markedly higher than those in the remission stage and controls (p<0.01). In contrast, blood GATA3 mRNA expression and IL-4 levels in children with ITP in the acute stage were significantly lower than those in the remmission stage and controls (p<0.01).

Conclusions: The high expression of T-bet and IFN-gamma and the low expression of GATA3 and IL-4 indicate the existence of Th1 polarization in children with acute ITP. This might be related to the regulation of T-bet and GATA3.