Reduced Expression of the Survivin Gene in PBMC from Silicosis Patients

To explore the mechanism involved in immunological disorders associated with silicosis, the expression of IAP family genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from silicosis patients was examined. Relative gene expression was assayed using the multiplex RT-PCR for the XIAP and survivin genes. The correlation between those expression levels and various clinical parameters was then analyzed. The relative expression level of the survivin gene was reduced in silicosis patients as compared with that of healthy volunteers.