IL1R2 Identified as a Key Hub Gene Regulating Vascular Endothelial Function in Kawasaki Disease

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a multisystemic vasculitis of unknown aetiology in children. KD with coronary artery lesion is now the leading acquired heart disease in children. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) play roles in KD. We identified hub genes based on RNA sequencing data and validated them in PBMCs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) coculture with PBMCs. Methods: mRNA microarray of PBMCs from 12 acute KD patients and 12 healthy controls was performed to screen differentially expressed mRNAs (DE-mRNAs). We selected 20 KD patients and 20 healthy controls for validation, and established HUVECs coculture with PBMCs. Real time-PCR was finally conducted to confirm the reliability and validity of the expression level of DE-mRNAs from PBMCs and HUVECs coculture. Results: A total of 6039 DE-mRNAs were found (2267 upregulated, 3772 downregulated). Thirty hub genes were selected. KD PBMCs significantly impaired HUVECs viability and migration. IL1R2 was downregulated, FCGR1A, and CD177 mRNAs were upregulated in acute KD. IL1R2 was elevated, FCGR1A and CD177 mRNAs were downregulated in convalescence. And the real-time PCR and ELISA results showed IL1R2 was downregulated in acute KD PBMC-HUVECs co-cultures and elevated in convalescence. Conclusion: These findings may improve our understanding of PBMCs and HUVECs coculture with PBMCs in KD.