Platelet activation and mitophagy induction by thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is associated with thrombosis in Kawasaki disease

Abstract

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of early childhood with unknown cause, which can be complicated by coronary artery lesions resulting in thrombosis. Fu and coworkers identify thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) to be increased in KD patients with thrombosis. They demonstrate that TSLP can activate platelets, induce mitophagy and trigger thrombus formation in vitro, suggesting that TSLP may have potential as a therapeutic target against KD‐associated thrombosis. Commentary on: Fu L, et al. TSLP induces platelet mitophagy and promotes thrombosis in Kawasaki disease. Br J Haematol. 2023; 200:776–791.

The cytoplasmic sensor, the AIM2 inflammasome: A precise therapeutic target in vascular and metabolic diseases

“…Although KD is a relatively rare syndrome, it is considered the main cause of acquired heart disease in children living in developed countries (K. Guo, Zhuo, et al, 2022). KD can lead to a series of irreversible cardiac events, such as thrombosis, coronary stenosis, myocardial infarction and sudden death (Harnden et al, 2009; Kapur, 2023; Shulman & Rowley, 2015). Both AIM2 inflammasomes and NLRP3 inflammasomes are involved in KD vasculitis.…”