Elucidation of mechanisms of the pathogenesis in Kawasaki disease by auto-reactive antibody

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Although the involvement of immune system malfunction in the onset of Kawasaki disease is suggested, its etiology still remains to be clarified. We investigated autoantibodies in KD patients, which are frequently found in sera from patients with autoimmune diseases, vasculitis and arteritis. We performed proteomic analysis for antigens of autoantibodies, and identified several candidate antigens. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we found that the titer of an auto in sera from KD patients was significantly higher than those from age-matched controls. Immunohistochemitry of rat heart thin sections revealed that an antigen was colocalized with myosin light chain in cardiac myocytes. Immunostaining with patient's sera also gave similar results. These results suggest autoantibodies as a possible diagnostic marker for KD.