Disruption of vascular homeostasis in patients with Kawasaki disease: Involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietins

Abstract

Objective In Kawasaki disease (KD), a pediatric vasculitis of medium-sized arteries, the coronary arteries are most commonly affected. Angiopoietins and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play an important role in maintaining vascular homeostasis. Recently, we identified ANGPT1 and VEGFA as susceptibility loci for KD. This study was undertaken to fine-map these associations and to gain further insight into their role in this vasculitis of unknown etiology to further the search for improved diagnostic and therapeutic options. Methods A total of 292 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in VEGF and ANGPT and their receptors were genotyped in 574 families, including 462 trios. F..