All issues > Volume 52(12); 2009

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2009;52(12):1348-1357. Published online December 15, 2009.

Changes in the expression of cytokines and apoptosis-related genes in children with infectious mononucleosis

Dae Sun DS Jo¹, Ji Hye JH Han¹, Sun Young SY Kim², Min Sun MS Kim¹, Ho Keun HK Yi³, Dae-Yeol DY Lee¹, Pyoung Han PH Hwang¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Chonbuk National University, Jeononju, Korea
²Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Jeononju, Korea
³Department of Biochemistry, School of Dentistry, Chonbuk National University, Jeononju, Korea

Correspondence Pyoung Han PH Hwang ,Email: hwaph@chonbuk.ac.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: The aims of this study were to identify the clinical characteristics and determine the changes in the expression of cytokines and apoptosis-related genes in children with infectious mononucleosis.
Methods
: Serological examinations of 15 pediatric patients diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis were performed prospectively. Peripheral blood from the patients was used to compare the composition of T cell subsets, cytokines, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes with those in 10 healthy children.
Results
: Mean age of the patient group was 5.7±3.4 (range, 3–9) years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. Fever, sore throat, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, and cervical lymph node enlargement were the most common symptoms and signs. The proportions of CD3+ T cells, CD8+ suppressor cells, and CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells were higher in the patient group than in the control group (P<0.01). The IL-2, IL-6, and interferon (IFN)-γ levels were higher in the early symptomatic period (P<0.01). Mean amount of EBV DNA in the patients was 102.38 copies/μg, and the amount was the highest at the beginning of the symptomatic period and normalized during the convalescent phase. Bcl-2 expression increased during the initial phase, while Bax expression increased during the convalescent phase. Further, FasL expression increased 1 week after symptom presentation and decreased during the convalescent phase. There was no significant change in Fas expression.
Conclusion
: We analyzed the clinical characteristics and changes in the expression ofcytokines and apoptosis-related genes in the patients with infectious mononucleosis.

Keywords :Infectious Mononucleosis, Cytokines, Apoptosis, Children, Gene