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Epigenetic approach to antifibrotic treatment for liver fibrosis

Research Project

Project/Area Number 16K19364
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Research Field Gastroenterology
Research InstitutionNara Medical University

Principal Investigator

Kaji Kosuke  奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 学内講師 (20623490)

Project Period (FY) 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2018)
Budget Amount *help
¥3,770,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥870,000)
Fiscal Year 2018: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000)
Fiscal Year 2017: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
Fiscal Year 2016: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000)
KeywordsDNMT1 / 肝線維化 / 肝星細胞 / DNAメチル化 / 細胞老化
Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to develop a novel antifibtoric therapy targeting DNMT1. 5-azadC, a DNMT1 inhibitor, significantly inhibited proliferation and downregulated expressions of fibrotic markers in the activated hepatic stellate cells (Ac-HSC) in concentration dependent manners. Moreover, 5-azadC potently promoted a cellular senescence in Ac-HSCs. In murine models of liver fibrosis, 5-azadC suppressed a pathological liver fibrosis development with downregulation of hepatic expressions associated with profibrotic markers.
Comprehensive DNA methylation analysis elucidated that 5-azadC induced hypomethylation in CpG loci associated with TGF-β, NF-κB, and Cyclin D in the Ac-HSCs.Remarkably, 5-azadC induced demethylation in CpG loci associated with RASAL1 which is involved in persistent liver fibrosis development.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

肝疾患治療において肝線維化を直接抑制する治療法の開発は大きな課題であり、本研究ではDNMT1阻害によるメチル化制御を介した活性化肝星細胞の細胞老化を伴った新たな治療の可能性を見出した。また網羅的メチル化解析を行い、肝線維化治療の効果を予測し得る新規のエピジェネティックマーカーの開発に有用なデータ結果を見出した。本研究の結果から、“治療効果予測に基づく個別化医療”が可能となり、将来的に肝硬変患者の治療効果および予後を改善するのに大きく寄与するものと考える。

Report

(4 results)
  • 2018 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2017 Research-status Report
  • 2016 Research-status Report

URL: 

Published: 2016-04-21   Modified: 2020-03-30  

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