Involvement of dysregulated autophagy in autoimmune diseases

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K08341
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Human pathology
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Sasaki Motoko 金沢大学, 医学系, 准教授 (70225895)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): SATO YASUNORI 金沢大学, 医学系, 准教授 (30324073)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: オートファジー / 細胞老化 / 自己免疫性疾患 / 病理学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study addressed to clarify a pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), putting focus on the association of dysregulated autophagy with abnormal expression of mitochondrial antigens. This study also addressed to develop a useful diagnostic marker for PBC. This study revealed that immunohistochemical detection of dysregulated autophagy and abnormal expression of mitochondrial antigens is a useful marker for a diagnosis of recurrent PBC after liver transplantation and cryptogenic cirrhosis. Furthermore, this study disclosed that anion exchanger 2 (AE2), which plays a role in the protection of biliary mucosa by maintaining biliary bicarbonate umbrella, showed decreased expression in the bile duct lesion in PBC. Cell culture study demonstrated that the decreased expression of AE2 was associated with dysregulated autophagy, abnormal expression of mitochondrial antigens and cellular senescence in biliary epithelial cells in PBC.

Free Research Field

人体病理学