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Polymorphisms in chemokine receptor genes and susceptibility to Kawasaki disease

W B Breunis1, M H Biezeveld, J Geissler

  • 1Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center (AMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands. w.b.breunis@amc.uva.nl

Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|August 4, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Genetic variants in chemokine receptor genes CCR3, CCR2, and CCR5 are associated with Kawasaki disease (KD) susceptibility in Dutch children. This finding offers insights into KD

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Genetics
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis affecting young children, with unknown etiology but suspected infectious triggers.
  • Elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines are observed in KD patients.
  • Genetic variations in cytokine and chemokine receptor genes may influence disease regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between common genetic variants in chemokine receptor genes and susceptibility to Kawasaki disease.
  • To analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in CCR3, CCR2, CCR5, CX3CR1, CXCR1, and CXCR2.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 170 Dutch Caucasian KD patients and 300 healthy Dutch Caucasian controls.
  • Analysis of eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the CCR3-CCR2-CCR5 gene cluster.
  • Examination of allele frequencies and haplotype associations.

Main Results:

  • Four SNPs in the CCR3-CCR2-CCR5 gene cluster showed a significant association with KD susceptibility.
  • The CCR5-Delta32 allele frequency was lower in KD patients (6.5%) compared to controls (10.7%, P=0.04).
  • Two haplotypes in the CCR3-CCR2-CCR5 cluster were identified as risk factors, and one as protective for KD.
  • No associations were found for studied SNPs in CX3CR1, CXCR1, and CXCR2.

Conclusions:

  • Common genetic variants in the CCR3-CCR2-CCR5 chemokine receptor gene cluster are associated with Kawasaki disease occurrence in a Dutch cohort.
  • These findings suggest a role for specific chemokine receptor genetic variations in KD pathogenesis.
  • Further research into the genetic underpinnings of KD is warranted.

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