Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Inhibition Prevents Coronary Artery Remodeling in a Murine Model of Kawasaki Disease

Abstract

Objective: Remodeling of the coronary arteries is a common feature in severe cases of Kawasaki disease (KD). This pathology is driven by the dysregulated proliferation of vascular fibroblasts, which can lead to coronary artery aneurysms, stenosis, and myocardial ischemia. We undertook this study to investigate whether inhibiting fibroblast proliferation might be an effective therapeutic strategy to prevent coronary artery remodeling in KD. Method: We used a murine model of KD (induced by the injection of the Candida albicans water-soluble complex [CAWS]) and analyzed patient samples to evaluate potential antifibrotic therapies for KD. Results: We identified the mechanistic target of rapamyci..