Gene-expression patterns reveal underlying biological processes in Kawasaki disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute self-limited vasculitis and the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries. No etiologic agent(s) has been identified, and the processes that mediate formation of coronary artery aneurysms and abatement of fever following treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) remain poorly understood.

Results

In an initial survey, we used DNA microarrays to examine patterns of gene expression in peripheral whole blood from 20 children with KD; each was sampled during the acute, subacute, and convalescent phases of the illness. Acute KD was characterized by increased relative abundance of gene transcripts associated with innate immune and proinflammatory responses and decreased abundance of transcripts ass

SUBMITTER: Popper SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2246263 | biostudies-literature | 2007

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature