Modification of DNA patterns in plasma and nucleated blood cells from systemic sclerosis patients

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the DNA patterns extracted from plasma and nucleated blood cells (lymphocytes) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) with a new MFC DNA extracting kit. METHODS: Ten SSc patients and 9 healthy controls were studied. Heparin containing blood samples were separated into plasma and buffy coat fractions and subjected to DNA extraction. The DNA pattern was revealed by 0.4% agarose electrophoresis and analyzed in a Gelblot Programme file (UVP Product). RESULTS: In control samples the DNA pattern observed in plasma extract was different from that of the buffy coat. For the plasma a series of peaks ranging from 2-23 Kb were present, and for the buffy coat we usually observed 2 to 3 principle bands, respectively, at around 33 Kb and 0.5 Kb. For SSc patients the DNA patterns that resulted from the plasma and buffy coat were totally different from the control samples, with some exceptions. CONCLUSION: We observed that SSc samples contain a distinctively different DNA pattern compared to healthy controls. Further studies are needed to establish whether or not this DNA pattern might be considered peculiar to SSc, and whether or not the method is a useful tool for pathogenic studies of the disease and for diagnostic purposes.