Abstract: Objective To study the relationship between bcl-2,Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) and the role of them in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Method Flow cytometry was used. Results Apoptosis of peripheral lymphocytes was significantly increased in SLE patients than that of normal controls(P<0.01)and patients with other skin diseases(P<0.05); the expression of bcl-2 antigen was significantly decreased compared with those of normal controls and patients with other skin diseases(P<0.01); whereas the differences of Fas and FasL expression among the three groups were not significant. Conclusions Increased apoptosis of peripheral lymphocytes may be related to the pathogenesis of SLE,and decreased bcl-2 antigen rather than Fas/FasL route may be more important for the increased apoptosis of peripheral lymphocytes.

Key words: Lupus erythematosus,systemic, Lymphocytes, Apoptosis, Genes,bcl-2, Antigens,Fas, Ligand,Fas