Correlation of expression levels of BLyS and its receptors with multiple myeloma

Objectives: To measure the expression levels Of B-lymphocyte Stimulator (BLyS) and its receptors in multiple myeloma (MM), and to investigate the relationship between them, Design and methods: BLyS and its receptors mRNA levels from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 31 MM patients and 30 healthy controls were determined by real-time PCR. The results were presented as the ratios of target genes, to beta(2)-microglobulin (beta M-2), mRNA. BLyS serum level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EUSA). Results: The circulating levels of BLyS in 31 MM patients were significantly elevated and correlated with the levels of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). More importantly, 93.55% (29/31) and 90.32% (28/31) of these M M patients had significantly higher expression levels of BLyS and BCMA mRNA respectively, which are correlated with the levels of LDH, while 64.52% (20/31) of these MM patients had significantly lower expression levels of TACI mRNA. Conclusion: BLyS protein concentration and BLyS, TACI and BAFF-R mRNA expression levels were significantly elevated in patients with MM, suggesting that BLyS, TACI and BAFF-R may be involved in the pathogenesis of MM, and that expression levels could serve as a biomarker of prognosis. (C) 2008 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.