Expression of bcl-2 protein in active skin lesions of Behcet's disease

Abstract

Background Expression of bcl-2 protein has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of some inflammatory as well as neoplastic disorders. In this study we have investigated the presence of bcl-2! protein in active skin lesions of Behcet's disease and compared these results with normal skin samples of Behcet's disease (BD) patients and BD unrelated leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Methods Active skin lesions of 23 Behcet's disease patients, normal skin samples of seven Behcet's disease patients, and archival biopsy specimens of 23 cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis were investigated for the presence of bcl-2 protein by immunohistochemical methods. Results of staining were assessed semiquantitatively. Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Results Expression of bcl-2 protein were demonstrated in 16 of 23 (69.5%) and 8 of 23 (34.7%) patients, with Behcet's disease and leukocytoclastic vasculitis, respectively. There were statistically, significant difference between two groups (chi (2) = 4.27, P < 0.05). None of the normal skin samples of Behcet's disease patients showed bcl-2 expression. Conclusion Expression of bcl-2 protein may play a particular role in the development of skin lesions in Behcet's disease by causing prolonged survival of infiltrating lymphocytes.