Reduced expression of FLIP SHORT in bone marrow of low risk myelodysplastic syndrome

Abstract: Apoptosis is dysregulated in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML). FLIP (FLICE (FAS-associated death-domain-like IL-1beta-converting enzyme)-inhibitory protein) has been described as an anti-apoptotic protein. Here, we characterize the expression level of FLIP LONG and FLIP SHORT mRNA in bone marrow aspirates from 61 patients diagnosed with MDS or AML. FLIP SHORT mRNA expression was significantly lower in low risk MDS, compared to high risk MDS, according to FAB classification (RA/RARS versus RAEB/RAEBt, P =0.0127) and IPSS (low risk/intermediate-1 versus intermediate-2/high risk, P =0.0345). Furthermore, FLIP SHORT mRNA expression was significantly lower in low risk MDS, compared to MDS-AML/AML de novo (P =0.0006), according to FAB classification. FLIP LONG expression did not differ between these groups. Increased levels of FLIP SHORT in RAEB and AML may be related to apoptosis resistance in these diseases and to MDS progression. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]