Bone Marrow–Derived MicroRNA‐223 Works as an Endocrine Genetic Signal in Vascular Endothelial Cells and Participates in Vascular Injury From Kawasaki Disease

BackgroundKawasaki disease (KD) is now the most common cause of acquired cardiac disease in children due to permanent coronary artery damage with unknown etiology. The study sought to determine the role of blood microRNA miR‐223 in KD and KD‐induced injuries in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) as well as the mechanisms involved. Methods and ResultsMicroRNA profiles in serum from patients with KD and from healthy controls were assessed by microarray analysis. We noted that multiple serum microRNAs were aberrantly expressed in KD, among them miR‐223, which was the most upregulated abundant serum microRNA. We found that bone marrow–derived blood cells (leukocytes and platelets) were able to secrete miR‐223 into serum. Vascular ECs had no endogenous miR‐223; however, the blood cell–secreted serum miR‐223 could enter into the vascular ECs in the vascular walls. The exogenous miR‐223 had strong biological effects on EC functions via its target genes such as IGF1R. Interestingly, KD‐induced EC injuries were rela...