Korean Circ J.  2011 Jun;41(6):321-326. 10.4070/kcj.2011.41.6.321.

Interleukin-6 (-636 C/G) Gene Polymorphism in Korean Children With Kawasaki Disease

• Ahn HM
• Park IS
• Hong SJ
• Hong YM

• KMID: 1776189
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2011.41.6.321

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Kawasaki disease (KD) is a multi-systemic vasculitis with coronary artery involvement. Serum interleukin (IL)-6 levels during acute phase showed a significant correlation with the duration of fever in patients with KD who were not treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), suggesting that the regulation of IL-6 expression in KD patients may differ from that in normal children. However, there are controversies surrounding the association between IL-6 (-636 C/G) gene polymorphism and development of KD.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
One hundred and nine children with KD and 191 children with congenital heart disease were included in this study. Echocardiography was performed to examine cardiac involvement in patients with KD. Genotyping of the IL-6 (-636 C/G) gene polymorphism was performed using the single-base extension method, and serum IL-6 concentrations were estimated using the sandwich enzyme immunoassay method.
RESULTS
Neutrophil, platelet count, liver function test, total protein and albumin concentrations were significantly different in the KD group and the serum IL-6 concentration was significantly higher in the KD group than the control group. There was no difference between the patients with coronary arterial dilatation (CAD) and those without CAD in the IL-6 (-636 C/G) polymorphism. The serum albumin concentration was significantly lower in patients with KD who had the -636 C/G or GG genotype compared with the control group. The serum IL-6 concentration was significantly higher in patients with KD who had the -636 C/G or GG genotype.
CONCLUSION
There was no association between the IL-6 (-636 C/G) gene polymorphism and development of coronary arterial lesions in KD. Further multicenter studies are required to establish the relationship between the IL-6 (-636 C/G) gene polymorphism and development of KD.

Keyword

Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome; Interleukins; Polymorphism, genetic

MeSH Terms

Child
Coronary Vessels
Dilatation
Echocardiography
Fever
Genotype
Heart Diseases
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Immunoglobulins
Interleukin-6
Interleukins
Liver Function Tests
Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome
Neutrophils
Platelet Count
Polymorphism, Genetic
Serum Albumin
Vasculitis
Immunoglobulins
Interleukin-6
Interleukins
Serum Albumin

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Serum IL-6 levels in Kawasaki disease group and control group. Serum IL-6 level was markedly elevated in KD group compared with control group. *p<0.05 significantly different from control group. IL-6: interleukin-6, KD: Kawasaki disease.

• 

  Fig. 2 Serum IL-6 levels in KD group with CC and CG+GG genotype. Regarding the IL-6 gene polymorphism, compared with the CC genotype, the serum IL-6 level was significantly higher in the CG+GG genotype in the KD group. *p<0.05 significantly different from CC group. IL-6: interleukin-6, KD: Kawasaki disease.

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