NRAMP1 Gene Expression in Patients with Kawasaki Disease / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Kawasaki disease (KD) is considered to be an immunologic disease, although the exact etiology of the disease is still unknown. It is well known that the erythema on the BCG injected site are observed in patients with KD. In mouse, bcg gene was reported to be involved in the natural immune response to Mycobacterium. The correspondent gene in human, NRAMP1, is studied recently for its role and function. This study was to investigate whether the erythema developed on BCG injected site in patients with KD is related to NRAMP1 gene activation. METHODS: Ten patients diagnosed as KD, 10 febrile controls and 10 healthy normal controls were enrolled in the study. Total RNA of PBMC was isolated and used to synthesize cDNA. RT-PCR was done and amplified products were subjected to electrophoresis on 1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis. The bands were quantified with densitometry and the values were corrected according to beta-actin values. RESULTS: The NRAMP1 expression was notably increased in patients with acute and subacute stage of KD and there was no difference in the degree of expression between the two groups. NRAMP1 expression was also increased in febrile control groups and was not different from patients group. CONCLUSION: Increased NRAMP1 expression in KD is suggested to be developed for the expression of heat shock protein, and not to be the specific finding of KD.