Pro- and Antifibrotic Factors in the Serum of Patients with Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders

Background. The study of pro- and antifibrotic factors in the serum of patients with Ph-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPDs) will allow to understand better the mechanisms of myelofibrosis development, as well as to identify new diagnostic markers. Aim. To assess the correlation between the levels of classic (TGF-β, bFGF, MMP-2, -9, -13 and VEGF) and new proinflammatory serum factors (galectin-3), involved into development of myelofibrosis in different Ph-negative forms of CMPDs and genetic abnormalities. Materials & Methods. The research included 55 CMPD patients (13 with polycythemia vera, 17 with essential thrombocythemia, 25 with primary myelofibrosis) and 8 healthy controls. Whole blood genomic DNA extraction was used to evaluate mutations JAK2V617F, CALR (deletions and insertions), MPLW515L, and MPLW515K. Antibody-immobilized ELISA was used to evaluate the levels of galectin-3, TGF-β, bFGF, VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-13. Results. The analysis showed the differences in serum MMP-9, VEGF, TGF-β and galectin-3 levels in patients with different CMPDs. A tendency towards the decrease of serum MMP-9 levels in patients with CALR mutations was shown. Conclusion. The shown differences between patients with different CMPDs may serve as a basis for improving diagnostic protocols in challenging differential diagnosis of CMPDs.