title: Genetic polymorphisms in the CD40 ligand gene and Kawasaki disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although some previous studies have reported that genetic and immunological factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD), the etiological factors of this enigmatical pediatric disease are still poorly understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to investigate whether polymorphisms of the CD40 ligand (CD40L) gene are associated with KD and the development of coronary artery lesions (CAL) in the Taiwanese children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CD40L -3459 A/G and IVS4+121 A/G single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 167 children with KD and 1,010 ethnically matched healthy controls by TaqMan assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the CD40L polymorphisms was associated with susceptibility or CAL development of KD, and this finding was supported by the haplotype analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In summary, these results provide little support for specific CD40L SNPs in the susceptibility or CAL development of KD in Taiwanese children. However, it will be necessary to validate or replicate this association in other independent large-size ethnic groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, 45, Min-Sheng Rd., Tamshui, 25115 Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Fu-Yuan
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Tzu-Yang
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Ming-Ren
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Nan-Chang
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Hsin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Hung-Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Shuan-Pei
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chih-Kai
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hui-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Wei-Fang
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hsin-Fu
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chen-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yann-Jinn
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009080:Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D023201:CD40 Ligand