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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Isolation, Characterization, and Proteomic Analysis of Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Cardiovascular Biomarker Discovery
Published on: January 31, 2025
A unique plasma proteomic profiling with imbalanced fibrinogen cascade in patients with Kawasaki disease
Hong-Ren Yu1, Ho-Chang Kuo, Jiunn-Ming Sheen
1Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital - Kaohsiung Medical Center, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
Insights
This study identified key plasma protein differences in children with Kawasaki disease (KD), revealing abnormal fibrinogen pathways. These findings may lead to new biomarkers for KD and strategies to prevent heart complications.
Area of Science:
- Proteomics
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Kawasaki disease (KD) is a significant cause of acquired heart disease in children.
- The underlying mechanisms and reliable biomarkers for KD are not fully understood.
- Identifying plasma proteomic markers could improve KD diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify potential plasma proteomic markers differentiating KD patients from febrile controls.
- To investigate the role of the fibrinogen cascade in Kawasaki disease.
- To explore novel biomarkers for early detection and therapeutic strategies in KD.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples from KD patients and febrile controls were analyzed using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
- Differential protein expression was identified between the two groups.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to validate the differential protein displays.
Main Results:
- Increased levels of fibrinogen beta and gamma chains, alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT), CD5 antigen-like precursor (CD5L), and clusterin were observed in KD patients.
- Decreased levels of immunoglobulin free light chains were found in KD patients compared to controls.
- A unique proteomic profile involving an abnormal fibrinogen cascade was identified in KD.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights a distinct proteomic signature in Kawasaki disease, characterized by alterations in the fibrinogen cascade.
- Identified proteins like fibrinogen, A1AT, clusterin, and CD5L may serve as potential biomarkers for KD.
- These findings suggest new avenues for preventing cardiovascular complications in KD by targeting fibrin deposition or degradation pathways.
Abstract:
Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease during childhood in the developed countries. The mechanism and biomarkers of KD remain to be determined. In this study, we sought to elucidate potential plasma proteomic markers in KD patients in comparison to that in febrile controls. Plasma samples from KD patients and febrile controls were subjected to two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. Differential protein displays between KD patients and febrile controls were determined. Fibrinogen beta and gamma chains, alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT), CD5 antigen-like precursor (CD5L), and clusterin were increased in KD patients, whereas immunoglobulin free light chains were decreased, as compared with controls. The differential protein displays were validated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests. We found higher fibrinogen-related proteins (fibrinogen, A1AT, clusterin, and CD5L), along with a lower level of the immunoglobulin free light chains that involve fibrin degradation in KD. Results from this study showing a unique proteomic profiling with abnormal fibrinogen cascade may afford a good biomarker of KD and a better strategy to prevent cardiovascular complications of KD by correcting abnormal fibrin deposition or degradation.
