Gut bacteria and 'leaky' gut in Kawasaki disease
Role of intestinal microbiome and gut permeability in the development of Kawasaki Disease vasculitis
This research looks at whether changes in gut bacteria and a 'leaky' gut make Kawasaki disease worse in young children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11133777 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses a mouse model that mimics important features of Kawasaki disease to study how gut bacteria and gut barrier leakage affect blood vessel inflammation. They compare which bacteria and bacterial metabolites, like TMAO, are higher in mice that develop vasculitis versus those that do not. The researchers test whether blocking TMAO production or changing the gut bacterial mix changes how severe the vessel inflammation becomes. Early results show some bacteria and higher TMAO levels may worsen disease while protective bacteria such as A. muciniphila may be reduced.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children diagnosed with or at high risk for Kawasaki disease, particularly infants and young children, would be the ideal group for follow-up clinical work or future trials.
Not a fit: People without Kawasaki disease—including adults or children with unrelated heart conditions—would not be expected to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or lessen blood vessel and heart damage in children with Kawasaki disease by targeting gut bacteria or harmful bacterial metabolites.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked altered gut bacteria to Kawasaki disease, but demonstrating a harmful role for TMAO and specific bacteria in a mouse model is a relatively new and promising direction.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Noval Rivas, Magali — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Noval Rivas, Magali
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.