Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The gut microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms in constant interaction with the body. There is increasing evidence that these microbes have immunomodulatory effects and an important role in the pathogenesis of disease and autoimmunity. Kawasaki Disease (KD) is an inflammatory condition with a predilection for the coronary arteries. In this study, a murine model of KD using Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE) was used to assess the effects of the microbiome in the pathogenesis of KD. We found marked changes in the microbiome between two animal facilities which correlated with disease susceptibility. Furthermore, depletion of the microbiome in susceptible mice was able to reduce disease incidence, while the transfer of cecal samples from susceptible to less susceptible mice was able to increase disease incidence. This project demonstrates an important role of the microbiome in modulating the development of coronary inflammation in a murine model of KD.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Kevin Daniel Chan
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2510112119