The role of TNF-α in a murine model of Kawasaki disease arteritis induced with a Candida albicans cell wall polysaccharide. Issue 1 (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oharaseki, Toshiaki; Yokouchi, Yuki; Yamada, Hitomi; Mamada, Hiroshi; Muto, Satoshi; Sadamoto, Kiyomi; Miura, Noriko; Ohno, Naohito; Saji, Tsutomu; Naoe, Shiro; Takahashi, Kei
• Is Part Of: Modern rheumatology. Volume 24:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 128
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: Rheumatology -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.3109/14397595.2013.854061
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1439-7595

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objectives</italic> Various inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), have been reported to play roles in Kawasaki disease (KD). Recently, anti-TNF-α therapy was reported to show efficacy in patients who do not respond to high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. However, there are many gaps in our understanding of the role that TNF-α plays in the development of KD arteritis as well as whether anti-TNF-α therapy causes any histological changes in the arteritis. Accordingly, the present histopathological study was carried out to elucidate the inhibitory effect of anti-TNF-α therapy on vasculitis as well as the role of TNF-α in the development of vasculitis in a murine model of KD vasculitis.</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic> We used two anti-TNF-α drugs (etanercept and infliximab) to treat a <italic>Candida albicans</italic>-induced murine model of KD vasculitis. We investigated the histopathological changes in terms of the incidence of vasculitis, the scope of lesions and the degree of inflammation.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic> Administration of etanercept to the mice reduced not only the incidence of vasculitis but also the scope of lesions and the degree of inflammation.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion</italic> Based on the histological findings, TNF-α is deeply involved in the development of vasculitis.</p> </abstract>