The etiology for Kawasaki disease (KD) remains unknown, but several studies have suggested the involvement of immune dysregulation and genetic factors. The purpose of this study is to compare gene expressions before and after an infusion of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in KD patients.

Blood was obtained from both acute and sub-acute phases of 4 patients with KD and febrile control children. Blood was collected in PAXgene blood RNA tubes and RNA was extracted using a PAXgene blood RNA isolation kit. Labeled RNAs were analyzed using Roche NimbleGen human whole genome 12-plex array.

KD patients prior to IVIG injection showed more than a two-fold increase in the expression of 88 genes and more than a two-fold decrease in the expression of 98 genes compared to the control group. They also showed more than two-fold increase in the expression of 226 genes and more than a two-fold decrease in 117 genes in KD patients after IVIG treatment compared to the patients before IVIG injection. Through microarray evaluation, the expressions of genes involved in proliferation, translation, inflammatory response, immune response, cell adhesion, cell migration, cell differentiation, apoptosis, cell growth, transport, cell cycle, transcription, signal transduction and metastasis were observed.

Changes in gene expressions in pediatric patients with KD before and after IVIG were observed via microarray evaluation.