The functional role of autophagy in smooth muscle cell.

• Project/Area Number: 24790782
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Circulatory organs internal medicine
• Research Institution: Juntendo University
• Principal Investigator: MITA Tomoya 順天堂大学, 医学部, 准教授 (90532557)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2014)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,290,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥990,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2012: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
• Keywords: オートファジー / 血管平滑筋細胞 / 動脈硬化 / 該当なし

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the role of autophagy in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) on atherosclerosis. The apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, Atg7f/f and SM22α-Cre mice bred with each other to generate mice with SMCs specific Atg7 deficiency (ATG7-SMCs KO) and littermate control (control). For atherosclerosis study, 10-week-old male mice were placed on a Western diet containing 1.25% cholesterol for 14 weeks. Plaque sizes in abdominal aortic areas of ATG7-SMCs KO apolipoprotein E-deficient mice exceptionally expanded compared to control apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Hydrogen peroxide induced apoptosis related signals were significantly enhanced in primary culture SMC isolated from ATG7-SMCs KO apolipoprotein E-deficient mice compared to those from control apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Our data suggest that SMC autophagy play a protective role on atherosclerosis through inhibiting SMC cell death.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Anagliptin, a DPP-4 Inhibitor, Suppresses Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscles and Monocyte Inflammatory Reaction and Attenuates Atherosclerosis in Male apo E-Deficient Mice. (2013)
  • Author(s): Ervinna N, Mita T, Yasunari E, Azuma K, Tanaka R, Fujimura S, Sukmawati D, Nomiyama T, Kanazawa A, Kawamori R, Fujitani Y, Watada H
  • Journal Title: Endocrinology Volume: 154 Issue: 3 Pages: 1260-1270
  • DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-1855
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] インクレチン関連薬の抗動脈硬化作用 (2012)
  • Author(s): 三田 智也
  • Organizer: 日本糖尿病合併症学会
  • Place of Presentation: アクロス福岡
  • Invited