PW01-029 – Relationship between apoptotic alterations and inflammation in familial Mediterranean fever

Objectives In the present study we determined the levels of annexinA5, ficolin-H, and ficolin-L proteins, in the blood of patients with FMF and healthy controls. Assessment of correlation between the levels of these proteins was also performed. Annexin-A5 is a marker of apoptosis; ficolinH and ficolin-L are components of the complement cascade. Binding of ficolins to the surface of apoptotic cells may activate the complement lectin pathway, as well as phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Thus, ficolins may act as both inflammatory mediators and opsonins.