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Dramatic decrease of circulating levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in Kawasaki disease after gamma
1Department of Pediatrics, Chiba University School of Medicine, Chiba-shi, Japan. terai@med.m.chiba-u.ac.jp
Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|May 20, 1999
Summary
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is involved in Kawasaki disease (KD) vasculitis. Gamma globulin (GG) treatment reduces MCP-1 levels and activity, suggesting a therapeutic mechanism for KD.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pediatric Rheumatology
Background:
- Kawasaki disease (KD) is a critical pediatric vasculitis affecting coronary arteries.
- Monocyte and macrophage infiltration is a hallmark of KD vascular lesions.
- Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a key chemokine for monocyte recruitment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of MCP-1 in Kawasaki disease pathogenesis.
- To determine the effect of gamma globulin (GG) treatment on MCP-1 levels and activity in KD.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry on cardiac tissues from fatal KD cases.
- Measurement of circulating cytokine levels (MCP-1, IL-8, TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha) before and after GG treatment.
- Western blotting to assess MCP-1 binding to GG.
- In vitro assays evaluating GG's effect on MCP-1-induced calcium influx in monocytic cells.
Main Results:
- MCP-1 was localized in vascular lesions of KD patients, correlating with inflammation.
- Elevated circulating MCP-1 levels were observed in KD patients before GG treatment.
- GG treatment significantly decreased MCP-1 levels and inhibited MCP-1 activity in vitro.
- MCP-1 was found to bind to GG.
Conclusions:
- MCP-1 plays a significant role in the inflammatory process of Kawasaki disease vasculitis.
- Gamma globulin therapy may exert its beneficial effects by neutralizing MCP-1 activity.
- Targeting MCP-1 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for KD.