Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota as a susceptibility factor for Kawasaki disease

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15876
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52050:Embryonic medicine and pediatrics-related
• Research Institution: Kansai Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Akagawa Shohei 関西医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (80714881)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 川崎病 / 腸内細菌叢 / dysbiosis

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Introduction: Gut microbial imbalance (dysbiosis) has been reported in patients with acute Kawasaki disease (KD). However, no studies have analyzed the gut microbiota while focusing on susceptibility to KD. Methods: Fecal DNA was extracted from 26 children with a history of KD approximately 1 year prior (KD group) and 57 age-matched healthy controls (HC group). 16S rRNA gene analysis was conducted. Results: Comparing microbial composition at the genus level, Compared with the HC group, the KD group had higher relative abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus group and lower relative abundance of Blautia. Discussion and conclusion: Ruminococcus gnavus group reportedly includes pro-inflammatory bacteria. In contrast, Blautia suppresses inflammation via butyrate production. Therefore, dysbiosis characterized by decreased abundance of Blautia in parallel with increased abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus group might be a susceptibility factor for KD.

Free Research Field

小児科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

川崎病の病因は未だに不明であり、本研究成果は川崎病の病因解明の一助となると考える。将来的にはプレバイオティクスやプロバイオティクスによるdysbiosisの是正など、新しい川崎病の発症予防法や治療法の開発に繋がる可能性がある。また、本研究成果や研究手法が川崎病だけではなく、他の血管炎や膠原病などの疾患の病因解明にも応用できる可能性が考えられる。