Evaluation of the cytokine response in Kawasaki disease.

Abstract

Intracellular cytokines interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and TNF-beta were studied in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with Kawasaki disease during the acute, subacute and convalescent stages of the disease utilizing cytokine-specific monoclonal antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence. Intracellular cytokines TNF-alpha and -beta were present only during the acute stage before initiation of therapy and not in the subacute or convalescent phase. Intracellular interleukin 6 was seen in both the acute phase and, in small numbers of patients, in the subacute stage of the illness. Overall 15 of 25 (60%) patients produced at least one intracellular cytokine. In the acute stage both monocyte and lymphocyte cytokines were detected intracellularly, TNF-alpha and TNF-beta in 58% of patients whereas interleukin 6 was seen in only 16%. This study provides evidence to support the involvement of activated mononuclear cells, both T cells and monocytes and their secreted soluble products, cytokines, in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease.

• Authors: B A Eberhard, U Andersson, R M Laxer, V Rose, E D Silverman
• Journal: The Pediatric infectious disease journal (Pediatr Infect Dis J) Vol. 14 Issue 3 Pg. 199-203 (Mar 1995) ISSN: 0891-3668 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7539120 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Interleukin-6
• Lymphotoxin-alpha
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• gamma-Globulins

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• Humans
• Infant
• Interleukin-6 (analysis)
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (chemistry)
• Lymphotoxin-alpha (analysis)
• Male
• Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome (blood, therapy)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (analysis)
• gamma-Globulins (therapeutic use)