<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the
roles of
platelet (PLT) and its regulating factors,
megakaryocyte,
thrombopoietin (TPO) and
transforming growth factor beta1 (
TGF-beta1), in immune
vasculitis in young
rabbits.</p><p><b>
METHODS</b>An
experimental model of
Kawasaki disease (KD) of weanling
rabbits was reproduced by bovine
serum. PLT count, total number and differentiating count of
megakaryocyte, and
serum TPO and
TGF-beta1 levels were measured 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28 days after KD induction. Pathological
analysis of
coronary artery,
liver,
spleen,
kidney and
brain was performed 17 and 28 days after KD induction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the KD group, PLT count, the total number of
megakaryocyte, and the middle
board megakaryocyte percentage increased 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28 days;
serum TPO level increased 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28 days;
serum TGF-beta1 level increased 16, 20, 24 and 28 days after KD induction compared with those in the normal
control group (p<0.05). The pathological examinations of
coronary artery,
liver,
spleen,
kidney and
brain showed severe inflammatory
injuries of tiny
arteries and small/medium-sized
arteries 17 and 28 days after KD induction, respectively in the KD group. The
aortas were showed as mild inflammatory
injuries.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PLT,
megakaryocyte, TPO and
TGF-beta1 participate in the pathogenesis of KD, and they may
play an important
role in the
injuries of immune
vasculitis. This suggests that they may serve as markers for the assessment of severity in KD.</p>