Plasma interleukin-41 serves as a potential diagnostic biomarker for Kawasaki disease

Microvasc Res. 2023 May:147:104478. doi: 10.1016/j.mvr.2023.104478. Epub 2023 Jan 20.

Abstract

Introduction: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis that causes abnormalities in the coronary arteries. Interleukin (IL)-41 is a novel immunoregulatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of some inflammatory and immune-related diseases. However, the role of IL-41 in KD is unclear. The purpose of this study was to detect the expression of IL-41 in the plasma of children with KD and its relationship with the disease.

Methods: A total of 44 children with KD and 37 healthy controls (HC) were recruited for this study. Plasma concentrations of IL-41 were determined by ELISA. Correlations between plasma IL-41 levels and KD-related clinical parameters were analyzed by Pearson correlation and multivariate linear regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the clinical value of IL-41 in the diagnosis of KD.

Results: Our results showed that plasma IL-41 levels were significantly elevated in children with KD compared with HC. Correlation analysis demonstrated that IL-41 levels were positively correlated with D-dimer and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and negatively correlated with IgM, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, total protein, albumin and pre-albumin. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that IgM and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations were associated with IL-41. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of IL-41 was 0.7101, with IL-41 providing 88.64 % sensitivity and 54.05 % specificity.

Conclusion: Our study indicated that plasma IL-41 levels in children with KD were significantly higher than those in HC, and may provide a potential diagnostic biomarker for KD.

Keywords: Coronary artery abnormalities; Interleukin-41; Kawasaki disease; Metrnl; Systemic vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Albumins
  • Biomarkers
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Interleukins
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome*

Substances

  • Interleukins
  • Albumins
  • Biomarkers
  • Immunoglobulin M