To investigate the expression of tumour necrosis factor superfamily 13B (TNFSF13B) receptors in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and their correlation with disease activity, we investigated the protein and mRNA levels of TNFSF13B, tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily 13C (TNFRSF13C), TNFRSF13B and TNFRSF17 by flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the mRNA expression of APRIL and its receptors (BCMA and TACI) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) in 25 normal controls and 34 untreated ITP patients with active disease.