Elucidation of mast cell-mediated host defense mechanism against animal venoms and toxic components

• Project/Area Number: 25461498
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Collagenous pathology/Allergology
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: AKAHOSHI Mitsuteru 九州大学, 大学病院, 助教 (40391841)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): ARINOBU Yojiro 九州大学, 大学病院, 助教 (90467928)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2015)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,940,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,140,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
• Keywords: マスト細胞 / 生物毒 / 生体防御 / 全身性強皮症 / 生理活性物質 / 強皮症 / 生理活性ペプチド / プロテアーゼ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A role of mast cell (MC)-mediated host defense against spider venom and fugu toxin was unclear. Then, we examined a role of MCs and their related bioactive peptides in the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The blood levels of endothelin-1 and histamine were elevated in patients with SSc than those of healthy donors. Among them, the serum levels of histamine were especially high in SSc patients with interstitial pneumonia, and the values of histamine showed correlation with their lung function parameters. Increased numbers and activation (degranulation) of MCs were found in skin of our SSc patients. Bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis was less severe in MC-deficient C57BL/6-Kit(W-sh/W-sh) mice than that in wild-type B6 mice. Taken together, a role of MCs was indicated in the pathological mechanism of SSc.

Research Products

• [Remarks] 九州大学医学部第一内科
  • URL: http://www.1nai.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp