Aim: To further explore the therapeutic mechanism of intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) for Kawasaki disease(KD). Method: Peripheral blood lymphocytes(PBLs) obtained from 26 children with KD and 20 age matched healthy children, were stimulated with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody(mAb),and apoptotic cell percentage and DNA fragmentation were assayed at 0,12,24,48,72 hours in vitro. The patients belonged to 2 groups: One treated with aspirin combined with IVIG(n=16) and one treated with aspirin alone(n=10).PBLs were stimulated by phytohemagglutinin(PHA) to evaluate lymphocyte proliferative response. Results: Compared with normal controls, the apoptotic cell percentage and the DNA fragmentation were markedly decreased(pConclusion: The results suggested that decreased PBL apoptosis might be involved in the pathogenesis of KD. The therapeutic mechanism of IVIG in KD may be partially due to the reversal of the inhibited lymphocyte apoptosis, and may have implications for other autoimmune diseases with inefficient lymphocyte apoptosis.
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