Unraveling the gut: the pivotal role of intestinal mechanisms in Kawasaki disease pathogenesis

Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute systemic vasculitis that primarily affects children under 5 years of age, is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in this age group. Recent studies propose a novel perspective on KD’s etiology, emphasizing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the role...

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Main Authors: Enfu Tao, Dandan Lang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1496293/full
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author Enfu Tao
Dandan Lang
author_facet Enfu Tao
Dandan Lang
author_sort Enfu Tao
collection DOAJ
description Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute systemic vasculitis that primarily affects children under 5 years of age, is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in this age group. Recent studies propose a novel perspective on KD’s etiology, emphasizing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the role of gut permeability. This review delves into how disruptions in gut barrier function trigger systemic inflammatory responses, exacerbate vascular inflammation, and contribute to coronary artery aneurysms. Evidence suggests that children with KD often exhibit increased gut permeability, leading to an imbalance in gut immunity and subsequent gut barrier damage. These changes impact vascular endothelial cells, promoting platelet aggregation and activation, thereby advancing severe vascular complications, including aneurysms. Additionally, this review highlights the correlation between GI symptoms and increased resistance to standard treatments like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), indicating that GI involvement may predict therapeutic outcomes. Advocating for a new paradigm, this review calls for integrated research across gastroenterology, immunology, and cardiology to examine KD through the lens of GI health. The goal is to develop innovative therapeutic interventions targeting the intestinal barrier, potentially revolutionizing KD management and significantly improving patient outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-76e04dd567294baa9d7a545e39079ec52025-08-20T02:49:59ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242024-11-011510.3389/fimmu.2024.14962931496293Unraveling the gut: the pivotal role of intestinal mechanisms in Kawasaki disease pathogenesisEnfu Tao0Dandan Lang1Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Wenling Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Wenling, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Pediatrics, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, ChinaKawasaki disease (KD), an acute systemic vasculitis that primarily affects children under 5 years of age, is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in this age group. Recent studies propose a novel perspective on KD’s etiology, emphasizing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the role of gut permeability. This review delves into how disruptions in gut barrier function trigger systemic inflammatory responses, exacerbate vascular inflammation, and contribute to coronary artery aneurysms. Evidence suggests that children with KD often exhibit increased gut permeability, leading to an imbalance in gut immunity and subsequent gut barrier damage. These changes impact vascular endothelial cells, promoting platelet aggregation and activation, thereby advancing severe vascular complications, including aneurysms. Additionally, this review highlights the correlation between GI symptoms and increased resistance to standard treatments like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), indicating that GI involvement may predict therapeutic outcomes. Advocating for a new paradigm, this review calls for integrated research across gastroenterology, immunology, and cardiology to examine KD through the lens of GI health. The goal is to develop innovative therapeutic interventions targeting the intestinal barrier, potentially revolutionizing KD management and significantly improving patient outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1496293/fullKawasaki diseasegut permeabilitysystemic vasculitiscoronary artery aneurysmsintravenous immunoglobulin resistanceplatelet activation
spellingShingle Enfu Tao
Dandan Lang
Unraveling the gut: the pivotal role of intestinal mechanisms in Kawasaki disease pathogenesis
Frontiers in Immunology
Kawasaki disease
gut permeability
systemic vasculitis
coronary artery aneurysms
intravenous immunoglobulin resistance
platelet activation
title Unraveling the gut: the pivotal role of intestinal mechanisms in Kawasaki disease pathogenesis
title_full Unraveling the gut: the pivotal role of intestinal mechanisms in Kawasaki disease pathogenesis
title_fullStr Unraveling the gut: the pivotal role of intestinal mechanisms in Kawasaki disease pathogenesis
title_full_unstemmed Unraveling the gut: the pivotal role of intestinal mechanisms in Kawasaki disease pathogenesis
title_short Unraveling the gut: the pivotal role of intestinal mechanisms in Kawasaki disease pathogenesis
title_sort unraveling the gut the pivotal role of intestinal mechanisms in kawasaki disease pathogenesis
topic Kawasaki disease
gut permeability
systemic vasculitis
coronary artery aneurysms
intravenous immunoglobulin resistance
platelet activation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1496293/full
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