Identification and functional analysis of transmembrane proteins involved in cell adhesion and determines lung cancer prognosis

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K09574
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Respiratory organ internal medicine
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Kage Hidenori 東京大学, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (80513390)
• Research Collaborator: Ando Takahiro
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: インテグリン / ITGA11 / 肺癌 / 術後再発 / 遊走能 / 浸潤能

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Integrins are a family of transmembrane proteins that bind extracellular matrix. We analyzed the role of integrin alpha 11 (ITGA11) in lung cancer. Analysis revealed that high expression of ITGA11 is associated with higher stage, and also with postoperative recurrence. Overexpression of ITGA11 in lung cancer cells did not result in higher proliferation of cells, but resulted in larger cells, increased cell migration, and increased invasion through extracellular matrix. Our results show that ITGA11 is a potential therapeutic target of lung cancer.

Free Research Field

肺癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、ITGA11の発現量が肺がんのステージや術後再発と関連があることを初めて見出した。肺がんが進行するにつれ、肺がん細胞はITGA11の発現量を高めることにより、遊走能や浸潤能を高め、がんの発生部位における進展や他臓器への転移をおこしやすくしていると推測できる。インテグリン分子は細胞膜の表面に顔を出しているため、本研究でITGA11は肺がんの有力な治療標的になりうることが分かった。