Integration of scRNA-Seq and bulk RNA-Seq uncover perturbed immune cell types and pathways of Kawasaki disease

Eggerthella lenta down regulated flavone and flavonol biosynthesis promoted Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki Disease (KD) is a multisystemic vasculitis of unknown aetiology in children. The incidence of KD varies by geographic area and correlates with differences in gut microbiota patterns, with the highest incidence in Asian. This study aimed to investigate alterations in faecal microbiota and assess their relationship with systemic inflammation in KD patients. A total of 59 patients and 55 matched controls were included. Fecal samples were collected at the onset of KD. The V3/V4 regions of 16S rDNA were sequenced using the MiSeq platform. PICRUSt 2 was used to analyse the potential functional pathways involved in gut dysbiosis. Alpha (p < 0.042) and beta (p < 0.001) diversity in KD were significantly decreased when compared to the control group. After multivariate regression, among the seven critical microbes, increased Eggerthella lenta (p = 0.016) and decreased Bacteroides ovatus (p = 0.014) could also predict KD risk using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis (Eggerthella lenta: area under the ROC curve, AUC = 0.841, odds ratio = 23.956; Bacteroides ovatus: AUC = 0.816, odds ratio = 31.365). Notably, Bacteroides ovatus was positively correlated with blood segment cells (p = 0.006), but negatively correlated with blood lymphocytes (p = 0.013). After multivariate regression, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis decreased in children with KD (p < 0.001). Our results indicated that both Bacteroides ovatus and Eggerthella lenta may deregulate flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, consequently modulating immune cells and potentially triggering KD. This study suggests that alterations in the gut microbiota are closely associated with immune responses and provides a new perspective on the aetiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of KD.

Single-cell transcriptome reveals potential mechanisms for gout in children

Objective

Pediatric gout is a condition that differs from traditional adult gout and has attracted significant attention. This study aims to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying pediatric gout.

Methods

We analyzed peripheral blood samples from pediatric gout patients and healthy controls using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Statistical tests were employed to analyze the data and identify significant differences between the groups.

Results

Our findings revealed that CD14+ monocytes and DN T cells play crucial roles in pediatric gout. CD14+ monocytes are essential for recognizing and phagocytosing monosodium urate (MSU) crystals, triggering inflammation. DN T cells may be involved in the adaptive immune response within gouty joints. These cells not only contribute to the inflammatory response but also interact with other immune cells, amplifying the inflammatory cascade. Comparative analysis with adult gout studies highlighted both similarities and differences in cellular and molecular mechanisms between children and adults. The CD14+ monocytes may be interact with other immune cells through the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway. Targeting this pathway may offer therapeutic potential for managing pediatric gout.

Conclusion

The results provide a foundation for new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for pediatric gout. They also pave the way for future research and the development of targeted therapies that can effectively manage and potentially prevent the debilitating effects of gout in children. Understanding the unique molecular mechanisms in pediatric gout could influence treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.

CD14+ monocytes: the immune communication hub in early vasculitis symptoms of Kawasaki disease

Background

Kawasaki Disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis syndrome predominantly affecting children, with a propensity to induce coronary artery lesions. Aberrant immune activation and cytokines cascade reactions are involved in its pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in immune cell communication during the course of KD and to identify potential biomarkers.

Methods

The study enrolled seven pediatric patients diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease (KD) between December 2019 and December 2021. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology was utilized to analyze peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Bioinformatics methods including quality control, dimensionality reduction, cell annotation, differential expression analysis, cell communication analysis, and co-expression network analysis were employed for data processing and analysis.

Results

This study utilized single-cell sequencing technology to uncover the dynamics of immune cell communication during the course of KD, revealing a significant increase in the number of CD14+ monocytes in the early stages of vasculitis, which play a central role in cell-cell communication. SELPLG was identified as a particularly crucial gene in the signal transduction among immune cells. The study also observed various cellular communication patterns of vasculitis at different time points and identified co-expression modules related to ribosomal function, cell proliferation, and immune responses in CD19+ B cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD14+ monocytes, and CD16+ monocytes. Notably, the expression of the ITK gene in CD14+ monocytes stood out. Furthermore, MHC-I genes were the most active molecules involved in signal transduction, and the expression of CD40 genes increased with the prolongation of vasculitis duration.

Conclusion

CD14+ monocytes play a pivotal role in cellular communication during the activation process of KD vasculitis, with SELPLG and ITK as important communication signal genes. These findings provide a novel perspective for the discovery of biomarkers, prediction of disease progression, and the development of targeted treatment strategies for KD.

Clinical Trial Registration

http://www.medresman.org.cn/pub/cn/proj/projectshow.aspx?proj=7739, identifier ChiCTR, ChiCTR2100044729.

Single-cell RNA sequencing: an emerging tool revealing dysregulated innate and adaptive immune response at single cell level in Kawasaki disease

INTRODUCTION

Kawasaki disease [KD] is a systemic disorder characterized by acute febrile illness due to widespread medium-vessel vasculitis, mainly affecting children. Despite the ongoing advanced research into the disease pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms, the exact etiopathogenesis of KD is still an enigma. Recently, single-cell RNA sequencing [scRNA-seq], has been utilized to elucidate the pathophysiology of KD at a resolution higher than that of previous methods.

AREA COVERED

In the present article, we re-emphasize the pivotal role of this high-resolution technique, scRNA-seq, in the characterization of immune cell transcriptomic profile and signaling/response pathways in KD and explore the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential of this new technique in KD. Using combinations of the search phrases 'KD, scRNA-seq, CAA, childhood vasculitis' a literature search was carried out on Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed until the beginning of 2024.

EXPERT OPINION

scRNA-seq presents a transformative tool for dissecting KD at the cellular level. By revealing rare cell populations, gene expression alterations, and disease-specific pathways, scRNA-seq aids in understanding the intricacies of KD pathogenesis. This review will provide new insights into pathogenesis of KD and the field of applications of scRNA-seq in personalized therapeutics for KD in the future.

Multi-omics in exploring the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading global cause of vision impairment, with its prevalence increasing alongside the rising rates of diabetes mellitus (DM). Despite the retina's complex structure, the underlying pathology of DR remains incompletely understood. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and recent advancements in multi-omics analyses have revolutionized molecular profiling, enabling high-throughput analysis and comprehensive characterization of complex biological systems. This review highlights the significant contributions of scRNA-seq, in conjunction with other multi-omics technologies, to DR research. Integrated scRNA-seq and transcriptomic analyses have revealed novel insights into DR pathogenesis, including alternative transcription start site events, fluctuations in cell populations, altered gene expression profiles, and critical signaling pathways within retinal cells. Furthermore, by integrating scRNA-seq with genetic association studies and multi-omics analyses, researchers have identified novel biomarkers, susceptibility genes, and potential therapeutic targets for DR, emphasizing the importance of specific retinal cell types in disease progression. The integration of scRNA-seq with metabolomics has also been instrumental in identifying specific metabolites and dysregulated pathways associated with DR. It is highly conceivable that the continued synergy between scRNA-seq and other multi-omics approaches will accelerate the discovery of underlying mechanisms and the development of novel therapeutic interventions for DR.