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, including those who were treated with intravenous gamma globulin. MCP-1 mRNA expression was increased in the MNC and the plasma level of MCP-1 and monocyte chemotactic activity in plasma in the acute phase as compared with healthy control levels and decreased after the gamma globulin therapy. The infused 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 production of MCP-1 in MNC in patients with Kawasaki disease, subsequently reducing its level in plasma. The changes in MCP-1 level after gamma globulin therapy may serve to alleviate the symptoms in the acute phase in patients with Kawasaki disease.