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Published on: October 18, 2016
CD14+CD16+ monocyte subpopulation in Kawasaki disease
K Katayama1, T Matsubara, M Fujiwara
1Department of Paediatrics, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan.
Insights
Kawasaki disease (KD) involves increased CD14+CD16+ monocytes, crucial inflammatory cells. Higher levels correlate with disease severity, suggesting their role in regulating monocyte function during acute KD.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness in children, characterized by vasculitis.
- Monocyte/macrophage activation is central to acute KD pathogenesis.
- The CD14+CD16+ monocyte subset is increasingly recognized for its role in inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the peripheral blood CD14+CD16+ monocyte subpopulation in KD patients.
- To analyze serum levels of IL-10 and IL-12 in relation to KD.
- To compare these findings with other inflammatory conditions.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to quantify CD14+CD16+ monocytes in 28 KD patients.
- Sandwich ELISA measured serum IL-10 and IL-12 levels.
- Comparisons were made with patients suffering from bacterial infections, mononucleosis, and anaphylactoid purpura.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in CD14+CD16+ monocytes was observed during acute KD.
- This increase positively correlated with C-reactive protein levels.
- Elevated serum IL-10, but not IL-12, was found in acute KD patients.
- Increased CD14+CD16+ monocytes were primarily seen in severe bacterial infections among controls.
Conclusions:
- Increased peripheral blood CD14+CD16+ monocytes are associated with acute Kawasaki disease.
- These monocytes may be involved in the regulatory system of monocyte function during KD.
- Elevated IL-10 levels further support immune dysregulation in acute KD.
Abstract:
Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness caused by vasculitis, occurring in early childhood. We have demonstrated that the activation of monocytes/macrophages plays a central role during acute KD. Recently, it has been reported that the CD14+CD16+ monocyte subpopulation plays a more important role in inflammation. In this study, we investigated the peripheral blood CD14+CD16+ monocyte subpopulation by flow cytometry, and serum levels of IL-10 and IL-12 using a sandwich ELISA in 28 KD patients. We also investigated this subpopulation in patients with bacterial infections, mononucleosis and anaphylactoid purpura, since the cause of KD remains unknown. We observed an increase in the number of CD14+CD16+ monocytes with acute KD, which was a positive correlation with C-reactive protein levels, and we observed only the patients with severe bacterial infections had increased this subpopulation during the acute stage among control diseases. In addition, we found that the serum levels of IL-10, but not IL-12, were higher during acute KD. These data suggest that increased peripheral blood CD14+CD16+ monocytes are part of the regulatory system of monocyte function during acute KD.
