Differential expression of the Bcl-2 and Bax isoforms in CD19 positive B-lymphocytes isolated from patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Aim: To examine the relative gene expression levels of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2α and β isoforms and the pro-apoptotic Baxα and β isoforms in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and healthy controls (HC).

Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from 36 patients diagnosed with CLL and 10 HC. CD19 B-lymphocytes were isolated using an antibody coupled magnetic bead isolation system; from these cells the total RNA was isolated and purified.