Increased CD11b expression on polymorphonuclear leucocytes and cytokine profiles in patients with Kawasaki disease

Clinical evidence implicates polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the pathogenesis of vasculitis in Kawasaki disease. We examined modulation of expression of adhesion molecules (CD11b and CD62L) on polymorphonuclear leucocytes and how this expression is related to serum cytokine concentrations. In 18 patients with Kawasaki disease and 15 control subjects, adhesion molecule expression was determined by two-colour immunofluorescence staining of blood leucocytes and flow cytometry. Eight cytokines and chemokines were also measured. In patients with Kawasaki disease, mean fluorescence intensity for CD11b before giving intravenous immunoglobulin was significantly higher than in normal subjects (P<0 x 005). After intravenous immunoglobulin, mean fluorescence intensity for CD11b decreased significantly. With coronary artery lesions present, mean CD11b fluorescence intensity was significantly higher than without coronary artery lesions (P=0 x 005 before intravenous immunoglobulin; P=0 x 024 after intravenous immunoglobulin). No differences were seen in CD62L expression on polymorphonuclear leucocytes between patients with Kawasaki disease and normal subjects. CD11b expression on polymorphonuclear leucocytes correlated positively with serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, percentage of neutrophils among white cells and C-reactive protein. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes from patients with Kawasaki disease showed increased CD11b expression, which was associated with increased serum cytokines and appeared to be related to coronary artery lesions.