Characterization of hepatic fibroblasts in the development of NASH using a novel mouse model.

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K19331
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Gastroenterology
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: SAKAI Takeru 東京医科歯科大学, 大学院医歯学総合研究科, 非常勤講師 (20727078)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 肝線維化 / 線維芽細胞 / 体重減少

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To elucidate the pathophysiological changes of hepatic fibroblasts in the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), collagen promoter-driven GFP transgenic mice were crossed with Melanocortin 4 receptor-deficient (MC4R-KO) mice. Transcriptome analysis was performed using fibroblasts separated from NASH livers of Western diet-fed Collagen-GFP transgenic MC4R-KO mice. Expression of genes related to extracellular matrix organization, cell adhesion, and wound healing was increased in fibroblasts from NASH livers compared to quiescent hepatic stellate cells, suggesting these data represents the characteristics of activated fibroblasts. Collagen-GFP transgenic MC4R-KO mice would be a useful model to investigate the functional changes of hepatic fibroblasts in the development and resolution process of NASH.

Free Research Field

代謝学