Gene expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis using oligonucleotide microarrays

To investigate the molecular basis for measles virus persistence in patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), the authors used a high-density oligonucleotide microarray, and found that the expression of granulysin in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly lower in the patients than in the controls. By a quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, the mRNA levels of granulysin were decreased in 30 SSPE patients, and were increased in 7 measles patients, as compared to the 23 controls. These results imply that granulysin might play a role in the host defense against measles virus and possibly be involved in the pathogenesis or pathophysiology of SSPE.