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Published on: August 27, 2020
Urinary exosomal microRNAs in Kawasaki disease and their changes after treatment
Hsin-Chun Huang1,2, Ho-Chang Kuo1, Hong-Ren Yu1
1Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
Background:
Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis of childhood characterized by intense inflammatory responses. Although circulating microRNAs have been investigated in KD, urinary exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) and their dynamic changes following treatment remain poorly defined.
Methods:
Urinary exosomes were isolated from children with KD and febrile control (FC) subjects. MicroRNA expression profiles were analyzed using TaqMan® human microRNA low-density arrays. Differentially expressed miRNAs were further evaluated in paired urine samples collected before and after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin treatment. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed to explore potential biological functions.
Results:
Distinct urinary exosomal microRNA expression patterns were observed in the KD subjects compared to the FC subjects. Several miRNAs, including let-7g-5p, miR-26b-5p, miR-125b-5p, and miR-200b-3p, showed differential expression and changes following IVIG and aspirin treatment. Enrichment analyses indicated involvement of intracellular signaling pathways, including MAPK, PI3K-Akt, Ras, and Rap1 signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
Urinary exosomal miRNAs differ in children with KD and exhibit changes following IVIG and aspirin treatment, suggesting potential involvement in inflammatory signaling during the acute phase of KD.
Impact:
Urinary exosomal microRNA profiles differ between children with Kawasaki disease (KD) and febrile controls. Several urinary exosomal microRNAs show changes following IVIG and aspirin treatment. Urinary exosomal microRNAs may reflect inflammatory signaling in acute KD.
Insights
Urinary exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) differ in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) and change after treatment. These findings suggest urinary exosomal miRNAs may indicate inflammatory signaling in acute KD.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Kawasaki disease (KD) is a childhood vasculitis with significant inflammation.
- Research on circulating microRNAs in KD exists, but urinary exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) and their post-treatment dynamics are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate urinary exosomal miRNA profiles in children with KD compared to febrile controls.
- To analyze dynamic changes in urinary exosomal miRNAs following intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin treatment for KD.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of urinary exosomes from children with KD and febrile controls.
- Analysis of miRNA expression profiles using low-density arrays.
- Evaluation of differentially expressed miRNAs before and after IVIG/aspirin treatment.
- Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analyses to determine biological functions.
Main Results:
- Distinct urinary exosomal miRNA expression patterns were identified in KD subjects versus controls.
- Several specific miRNAs (let-7g-5p, miR-26b-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-200b-3p) showed differential expression and altered levels post-treatment.
- Pathway analyses suggested involvement of MAPK, PI3K-Akt, Ras, and Rap1 signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- Urinary exosomal miRNA profiles are distinct in children with KD.
- These miRNAs undergo changes after IVIG and aspirin treatment.
- Urinary exosomal miRNAs show potential as indicators of inflammatory signaling in acute KD.
