Changes in 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and Glucocorticoid Receptor Expression in Kawasaki Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the significance of changes in the expression 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) for the development of Kawasaki disease (KD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the mRNA expression levels of GR and 11β-HSD in peripheral blood monocytes, both in the acute phase of the disease and after treatment. Western blotting was performed to determine the protein expression levels of GR and 11β-HSD. RESULTS: The expression levels of GRβ, GRβ, and 11β-HSD1 mRNA in the acute phase were significantly higher than levels at baseline (p<0.01) and after treatment (p<0.05). The 11β-HSD2 mRNA levels were lower in the acute phase than in the normal group (p<0.01), and they were significantly higher after treatment than before (p<0.01). Western blot results were consistent with the real-time PCR results. The coronary artery lesion group exhibited significantly different 11β-HSD2 expression levels from that of the group with normal coronary arteries (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: GR and 11β-HSD expression changes in the acute phase of KD are important factors for regulating inflammatory responses in KD.