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Increased serum levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in patients with Kawasaki disease
1Department of Paediatrics, Institute for immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Objective:
To determine whether serum levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) increase in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) and also correlate with other inflammatory indices.
Methods:
Serum samples from 10 patients with KD, 15 normal healthy subjects, and seven febrile control subjects were assayed for MIF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results:
There was a significant increase in the serum levels of MIF in the acute stage of KD [113.06 (range 20.6-157.36) ng/mL] compared with those in the subacute stage [28.11 (8.57-143.48) ng/mL, p<0.01], normal controls [12.95 (8.40-18.67) ng/mL, p<0.001], and febrile controls [36.58 (21.31-59.67) ng/mL, p = 0.01]. The increase in MIF correlated with an increase in interleukin-6 (IL-6) (r = 0.52, p = 0.047).
Conclusion:
MIF may be a useful marker in the acute stage of KD and may provide important clues to the pathogenesis of this disease.
Insights
Serum levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) are significantly elevated in acute Kawasaki disease (KD). This increase in MIF correlates with other inflammatory markers, suggesting its role in KD pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile vasculitis affecting medium-sized arteries, primarily in children.
- The pathogenesis of KD remains incompletely understood, with inflammation playing a central role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) levels in patients with Kawasaki disease.
- To determine if MIF levels correlate with disease activity and other inflammatory markers in KD.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 10 KD patients, 15 healthy controls, and 7 febrile controls.
- Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Main Results:
- Serum MIF levels were significantly higher in the acute stage of KD compared to subacute, normal, and febrile controls.
- Elevated MIF levels in KD correlated positively with interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels (r = 0.52, p = 0.047).
Conclusions:
- Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) may serve as a valuable biomarker for acute Kawasaki disease.
- MIF's elevated levels offer insights into the inflammatory processes underlying KD pathogenesis.