Studies of a novel gene Ahed for proliferation and differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K16343
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Dermatology
• Research Institution: Kochi University
• Principal Investigator: ISHIMOTO Tatsushi 高知大学, 医学部附属病院, 医員 (40750039)
• Research Collaborator: SANO Shigetoshi ; TAKAISHI Mikiro
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 表皮角化細胞 / 増殖・分化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Ahed is a newly identified molecule having crucial roles in proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. It is supposed that Ahed has some roles in the epidermal keratinocytes in which the gene is expressed. To understand the function of Ahed in epidermal keratinocytes, tamoxifen-inducible epidermis specific Ahed knock-out mice were generated. Colony formation of keratinocytes prepared from the mice and treated with 4-hydroxy tamoxifen (4OHT) was obviously suppressed. When the mice were treated with 4OHT on their back skin, the epidermis was atrophied with dead cells in interfollicular and follicular epidermis. The findings indicate that Ahed is involved in proliferation and differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes.

Free Research Field

皮膚科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

我々の研究成果より、Ahedは表皮角化細胞の分化・増殖に関わり、正常皮膚の機能維持に寄与している事が示された。この分子機構が解明されれば、増殖異常あるいは角化異常を呈する各種皮膚疾患の理解が深まる可能性がある。また、創傷治癒や再生医療に関しても大きな貢献があると期待される。