IL-31 associated with coronary artery lesion formation in Kawasaki disease

PLoS One. 2014 Aug 14;9(8):e105195. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105195. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is known to be associated with T help (Th) 2 reaction and subsequently allergic diseases. Interleukin-31 (IL-31) has also been reported to be involved in Th2 mediated diseases such as allergic diseases. However, the role of IL-31 in KD has not been previously reported. The aim of this study is to investigate whether IL-31 is associated with KD and its clinical outcome.

Material: A total of 78 KD patients who met the criteria of KD were enrolled in this study as well as 20 age-matched controls. Plasma samples were conducted to measure IL-31 before intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment (KD1), within 3 days after IVIG treatment (KD2) and at least 3 weeks after IVIG treatment (KD3) by utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Result: Our findings showed that IL-31 expression was higher in KD patients after IVIG treatment significantly (KD2>KD1: 1265.0±199.3 vs. 840.2±152.5 pg/ml, p<0.0001). Further analysis revealed that IL-31 level was significantly higher in KD patients with coronary artery lesion (CAL) (656.6±139.5 vs. 1373.0±422.0 pg/ml, p = 0.04) before IVIG treatment (KD1). There were no significant differences between the IVIG resistance and IVIG responsiveness groups.

Conclusion: IL-31 was increased after IVIG treatment in patients with KD and was significantly associated with CAL formation. The results from this study may help to identify a novel risk factor for predicting KD and CAL formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coronary Artery Disease / etiology*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / pathology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Interleukins / blood*
  • Male
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / blood*
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / complications*
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / drug therapy

Substances

  • IL31 protein, human
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Interleukins

Grants and funding

This study was supported by a grant from the National Science Council, Taiwan (NSC 102-2314-B-182-053-MY3) and a grant from the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CMRPG8C1081 and CMRPG8B0211). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.