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Kawasaki disease and increased cardiovascular risk: Is there a link to circulating glycocalyx biomarkers?

André Jakob1, Sarah Bohlig1, Miriam König1

  • 1Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.

Microvascular Research
|October 26, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Kawasaki disease (KD) may alter endothelial glycocalyx, impacting long-term cardiovascular health. While not directly linked to KD, glycocalyx components interact with blood pressure and lipids in patients with a history of KD.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Endothelial Biology

Background:

  • Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis with potential long-term cardiovascular consequences.
  • Endothelial glycocalyx dysfunction during KD may contribute to future vascular anomalies and atherosclerosis.
  • Investigating the link between glycocalyx components and cardiovascular risk factors in KD patients is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess circulating glycocalyx components (syndecan-1 and hyaluronan) in patients with a history of KD.
  • To analyze the association of these components with acute-phase KD clinical features.
  • To determine the relationship between glycocalyx components and current cardiovascular risk factors in KD survivors.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational cohort study of 31 KD patients and 20 healthy controls.
  • Serum syndecan-1 and hyaluronan measured by ELISA.
  • Analysis of acute-phase markers (blood counts, CRP, CAA) and current cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, lipids).

Main Results:

  • Hyaluronan and syndecan-1 levels were not directly associated with KD.
  • Syndecan-1 showed a significant association with acute-phase blood count alterations in KD patients.
  • Interactions between hyaluronan/syndecan-1 and cardiovascular risk factors (lipids, blood pressure) were observed exclusively in KD patients.

Conclusions:

  • Acute-phase vasculitis in KD may lead to persistent endothelial glycocalyx alterations.
  • These alterations can be influenced by concurrent vascular risk factors like blood pressure and lipids.
  • Findings suggest a potential pathway for long-term cardiovascular risk in Kawasaki disease survivors.
Abstract

Keywords:
Blood pressureCirculating lipidsEndothelial functionGlycocalyxKawasaki disease

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