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kallidin 430 Kawasaki’s disease
Elvin Abraham Kabat.
Elvin A. Kabat (left) of Columbia University and Merrill W. Chase of
Rockefeller University at the 75th Annual Meeting of the American
Association of Immunologists in Las Vegas, Nevada, 1988.
kallidin
Refer to kinins.
kallikrein
An enzyme that splits kininogens to generate bradykinin,
which has an effect on pain receptors and smooth muscle
and exerts a chemotactic effect on neutrophils. Bradykinin
is a nonapeptide that induces vasodilation and increases
capillary permeability. Kallikreins, also known as kininogenases,
are present in both plasma and tissues and also in
glandular secretions such as saliva, pancreatic juice, tears,
and urine, among others. Trypsin, pepsin, proteases of
snake venoms, and bacterial products are also able to hydrolyze
kininogens, but the substrate specificity and potency
of kallikreins are greater. Plasma and tissue kallikreins are
physically and immunologically different. It is not known
whether plasma contains more than one form of kallikrein.
kallikrein inhibitors
Natural inhibitors of kallikreins belong to the group of
natural inhibitors of proteolysis. They also inhibit other
proteolytic enzymes, but each has its own preference for one
protease or another. Apronitin, also known by its registered
name of Trasylol , is particularly active on tissue kallikreins.
kallikrein–kinin system
Vasopressive peptides that control blood pressure through
maintenance of regional blood flow and the excretion of
water and electrolytes. Kallikrein causes the release of
renin and the synthesis of kinins that interact with the
immune system, increase urinary sodium excretion, and act
as powerful vasodilators.
Kaposi’s sarcoma
A malignant neoplasm that may consist of a discrete
intradermal nodule with vascular channels lined by atypical
endothelial cells and extravasated erythrocytes with
deposits of hemosiderin. This vascular tumor, seen largely
in elderly patients of Mediterranean and Jewish heritage,
is now recognized in a more aggressive form as one of the
presentations of AIDS. Whereas classical Kaposi’s sarcoma
is on the lower limbs and is only very slowly progressive,
the more aggressive form seen in AIDS involves discrete
vascular tumors scattered widely over the body. This tumor
is associated with infection by Kaposi’s-sarcoma-associated
herpesvirus (human herpesvirus 8).
κ (kappa)
Designation for one of the two types of immunoglobulin
light chains; the other designation is λ.
κ–λ exclusion
Means whereby the generation of a functional κ light chain
from the Igk locus on one chromosome prevents futher
V(D)J rearrangement at the other Igk allele, and also blocks
V(D)J rearrangement of either Ig1 allele.
κ chain
One of two types of light polypeptide chains present in
immunoglobulin molecules of humans and other species.
κ Light chains are found in approximately 60% of human
immunoglobulin, whereas λ light chains are present in
approximately 40%. A single immunoglobulin molecule
contains either κ or λ light chains, not one of each.
κ light chain deficiency
A rare condition in which point mutations in the Cκ gene
at chromosome 2p11 cause an absence of κ light chains in
the serum and generate B lymphocytes whose surfaces are
bereft of κ light chains.
karyotype
The number and shape of chromosomes within a cell. A
karyotype may be characteristic for a particular species.
Kawasaki’s disease
Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome that occurs in
children under 5 years of age. The incubation period may
be 1 to 2 weeks. It is an acute febrile disease characterized
by erythema of the conjunctiva and oral cavity, skin rash,
and swollen (especially cervical) lymph nodes. It occurs
mostly in Japan, although some cases have been reported in
the United States. Cardiac lesions such as coronary artery
aneurysms may be found in 70% of the patients. Coronary
arteritis causes death in 1 to 2% of patients. Necrosis and
inflammation of the vessel wall are present. The etiology
is unknown, but it has been suggested to be infection by
a retrovirus. Considered to be an autoimmune disease.
Associated immunoregulatory disorders include T and B
lymphocyte activation, circulating immune complexes, and
autoantibodies cytolytic for endothelial cells activated by
cytokines.