Development of novel methods for prevention of atherosclerosis through inducing immune-tolerance.

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K09516
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Cardiovascular medicine
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Yamashita Tomoya 神戸大学, 医学部附属病院, 准教授 (90437468)
• Research Collaborator: Sasaki Naoto
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 免疫寛容 / 動脈硬化 / 腸内細菌叢 / 紫外線

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Clinical evidence demonstrated that it was impossible to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular events effectively by controlling the conventional coronary risk factors. Recently, chronic inflammation in atherogenesis was became the focus of attention not only as a cause of initiation and progression of atherosclerosis but also as a therapeutic target. In this research project, we demonstrated ultra violet B exposure systemically increased regulatory T cells through induction of tolerogenic dendritic cells in the skin, resulted in inducing immune tolerance, and inhibited atherosclerosis or aneurysm formation in mice. We would like to develop this method as a novel therapeutic strategy.

Free Research Field

循環器内科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

紫外線を皮膚に照射する治療法は、皮膚疾患の治療法として臨床応用されている。本研究では、この紫外線照射治療をマウスではあるが動脈硬化の予防法として利用できるのではないかと考えて実施した。紫外線照射は、皮膚から免疫寛容を誘導し、制御性T細胞という炎症を制御する免疫担当細胞を増加させることで動脈硬化が予防できることが判明した。この新規治療法の開発を行って、臨床応用できれば、患者負担の少ない治療法となり、医学的にも社会的にも貢献度は大きい。