Expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in Kawasaki disease: The anti-inflammatory effect of gamma globulin therapy

We investigated the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1 ) mRNA, protein, and its bioactivity in plasma, mononuclear cells (MNC) and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PML) in patients with Kawasaki disease, incl uding those who were treated with intravenous gamma globulin. MCP-1 mRNA ex pression was increased in the MNC and the plasma level of MCP-1 and monocyt e chemotactic activity in plasma in the acute phase as compared with health y control levels and decreased after the gamma globulin therapy. The infuse d gamma globulin contained MCP-1 protein with monocyte chemotactic activity and did not show a neutralising effect against MCP-1 protein in vitro. Our results suggest that the infusion of gamma globulin may reduce the product ion of MCP-1 in MNC in patients with Kawasaki disease, subsequently reducin g its level in plasma. The changes in MCP-1 level after gamma globulin ther apy may serve to alleviate the symptoms in the acute phase in patients with Kawasaki disease.