Role of EpCAM function in skin and gut immunity

• Project/Area Number: 18K16038
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53050:Dermatology-related
• Research Institution: International University of Health and Welfare
• Principal Investigator: Morimura Sohshi 国際医療福祉大学, 医学部, 准教授 (70704328)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2022)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000); Fiscal Year 2021: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000); Fiscal Year 2020: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000)
• Keywords: EpCAM / 細胞接着分子 / 皮膚免疫 / 腸管免疫 / 乾癬 / イミキモド / イミキモド皮膚炎

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is essential for maintaining of intestinal stem cells. The function of EpCAM for skin immunity is now investigated by using imiquimod-induced psoriasis like dermatitis model.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

EpCAMの欠損は重度の腸管障害を引き起こす。EpCAMの機能を解析することで、治療法の開発に役立てることができる。また、EpCAMは皮膚免疫にも関与していると考えられ、皮膚免疫におけるEpCAMの機能を解明すれば、皮膚炎などの治療法の開発に貢献できる。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] EpCAM (CD326) Regulates Intestinal Epithelial Integrity and Stem Cells via Rho-Associated Kinase (2021)
  • Author(s): Takeshi Ouchi, Sohshi Morimura, Lukas E Dow, Hiroyuki Miyoshi, Mark C Udey
  • Journal Title: Cells Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Pages: 256-256
  • DOI: 10.3390/cells10020256
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 皮膚免疫における細胞接着分子EpCAMの役割 (2019)
  • Author(s): 森村 壮志
  • Organizer: 第9回国際医療福祉大学学術総会
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Role of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis (2018)
  • Author(s): Sohshi Morimura, Tomomitsu Miyagaki, Shinichi Sato, Makoto Sugaya
  • Organizer: International Investigative Dermatology
  • Int'l Joint Research