Involvement of PERK and ATF6 signal pathways in indicating unfolded protein response in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

INTRODUCTION

PERK, ATF6, and IRE1α signalling pathways are unfolded protein response (UPR) signalling pathways. In this study, we evaluated the effect of PERK and ATF6 signalling pathways, in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients.

METHODS

ELISA was performed on peripheral blood plasma samples from the CLL group and the control group for the markers eIF2AK3, GRP78, ATF6, CHOP, HIF-1α and caspase 3.

RESULTS

In this study, the levels of eIF2AK3, GRP78, ATF6 and CHOP were higher in the CLL group than in the control group (p = <0.001, p = <0.001, p = <0.001, p = <0.001, respectively). While no difference was observed between the CLL group and the control group in terms of HIF-1α level, caspase 3 level was higher in the CLL group (p = <0.001). There was a positive relationship between the level of HIF-1α and the levels of ATF6 and CHOP (r = 0.648, p = <0.001; r = 0.727, p = <0.001, respectively). Also, a positive correlation was observed between caspase 3 level and ATF6 level (r = 0.301, p = 0.030).

DISCUSSION: In this study, markers associated with PERK and ATF6 signalling pathways were higher in CLL patients.