Monocyte subsets and their activation markers in Kawasaki disease – A Study from a Tertiary care Center in North India

Abstract

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a common childhood vasculitis and autopsy studies have shown monocyte infiltration in affected blood vessels. Role of monocyte subsets and their activation status in KD have not been completely explored. Materials and methods: Sixteen children diagnosed with KD were included in our study along with 16 age and sex-matched controls. We studied subpopulations of monocytes (classical, intermediate and non-classical), early and late monocyte activation markers during acute and convalescent stages. We also assessed soluble markers of monocyte activation (sCD14, sCD163, CCL2). Results: Significant elevation in absolute number of classical [CD14+CD16-] and intermediate monocytes [CD14++CD16+] were noted in KD and febrile controls in comparison to healthy controls. CD69 expression in classical, intermediate and non-classical monocytes were higher in KD when compared to healthy controls. Absolute counts of classical and intermediate monocytes expressing CD69 and HLA-DR were significantly lower in the convalescent stage as compared to acute KD. We observed no significant elevation in sCD14 and sCD163 levels in KD as compared to controls. However, median CCL2 levels were highest in children with KD. Conclusion: Our results suggest that both early and late monocyte activation occur in acute phase of KD that subsides in convalescent phase.