@article { author = {Azimi, Ghasem and Amini, Hesam and Andalibi, Niosha}, title = {Expression of the Apoptosis Inhibitor Bcl-2 in Sputum Eosinophils in Patients with Asthma}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Pathology}, volume = {5}, number = {1}, pages = {18-21}, year = {2010}, publisher = {Farname Inc in collaboration with Iranian Society of Pathology}, issn = {1735-5303}, eissn = {2345-3656}, doi = {}, abstract = {  Background and Objectives: Apoptosis of eosinophils is of significant value in assessing the airway inflammation in patients with asthma. Our purpose was to investigate the degree of expression of the Bcl-2 protein in sputum eosinophils during acute asthma exacerbation and its relationship with exacerbation severity.    Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in Mostafa Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran in March 2008. Sputum was obtained from 15 asthmatic patients and 13 healthy subjects as a control group. Number of eosinophils was counted and Bcl-2+ eosinophils were stained using immunocytochemistry.   Results: Sputum eosinophils and Bcl-2+ eosinophils were significantly higher in patients with acute exacerbation than controls (P<0.05).   Conclusion: Bcl-2 prolongs survival and decreases apoptosis of airway eosinophils during acute asthma exacerbation. Eosinophil apoptosis and inhibition of Bcl-2 represent a target for new and effective therapeutic strategies of asthma.  }, keywords = {Apoptosis,Asthma,B-bcl-2 Proteins,Eosinophil,Sputum}, url = {https://ijp.iranpath.org/article_8866.html}, eprint = {https://ijp.iranpath.org/article_8866_e620caf6228702e54157f29095835339.pdf} }