Exploring Causal Correlations Between Inflammatory Cytokines and Kawasaki Disease: A Mendelian Randomization.

Background: The role of inflammatory cytokines in Kawasaki disease (KD) pathogenesis is known, but causal relationships are unclear. This study investigates these connections using Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods: Genetic variations associated with KD were obtained from a GWAS including 119 cases and 6071 controls of European ancestry. Genetic data on inflammatory cytokines were sourced from a GWAS of 8,293 healthy participants.

Results: The study identified significant associations between higher levels of macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and increased risk of KD. The odds ratios (OR) were 1.04 (95% CI: 1.01-1.08,  = 0.010) for M-CSF, 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01-1.05,  = 0.026) for MCP-1, and 1.02 (95% CI: 1.01-1.04,  = 0.027) for TRAIL.

Conclusion: This study suggests that M-CSF, MCP-1, and TRAIL are potentially involved in the etiology of KD.