Increased Numbers of Circulating Th22 and Th17 Cells in Patients with Kawasaki Disease

Abstract Background T-helper (Th) 22 and Th17 cells are involved in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki Disease (KD). Methods A total of 43 patients with freshly diagnosed KD and 20 age-/gender-matched healthy controls (HC) were examined for the numbers of Th22, Th17 and Th1 cells were quantified by flow cytometry. The concentrations of serum IL-22, IL-17, IFN-γ and TNF-α were examined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Results In comparison with those in the HC, significantly increased numbers of Th22 and Th17 cells, but not Th1 cells, and increased levels of serum IL-22 and IL-17, but not IFN-γ, were detected in KD patients. Stratification analysis indicated the numbers of both Th22 and Th17 cells and the concentrations of serum IL-22 and IL-17 in KD patients with coronary artery lesions (CAL) were significantly greater than that in those with noncoronary artery lesions (NCAL). Treatment with the intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy significantly decreased numbers of Th22 and Th17 cells and concentrations of serum IL-22 and IL-17 in KD patients. The concentrations of serum IL-22 and IL-17 were correlated positively with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values as well as N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in those patients respectively. Conclusions Our study provided direct evidence that Th22 and Th17 cells might contribute to the pathogenesis of KD.