Platelet activation and mitophagy induction by thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is associated with thrombosis in Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of early childhood with unknown cause, which can be complicated by coronary artery lesions resulting in thrombosis. Fu and coworkers identify thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) to be increased in KD patients with thrombosis. They demonstrate that TSLP can activate platelets, induce mitophagy and trigger thrombus formation in vitro, suggesting that TSLP may have potential as a therapeutic target against KD-associated thrombosis. Commentary on: Fu L, et al. TSLP induces platelet mitophagy and promotes thrombosis in Kawasaki disease. Br J Haematol. 2023; 200:776-791.