The role of oncostatin M in urinary stone formation

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K16810
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Urology
• Research Institution: Wakayama Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Yamashita Shimpei 和歌山県立医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (20725569)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: オンコスタチンM / 尿路結石症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Oncostatin M (OSM), a member of the interleukin-6 family of cytokines, has been reported to promote chronic inflammation in lung and skin. We hypothesized that OSM plays an inflammatory role in kidney and promotes renal stone formation. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of OSM in urinary stone formation.
The current study revealed that OSM stimulated renal proximal tubular epithelial cells and interstitial fibroblasts to produce crystal binding proteins and inflammatory cytokines and promoted urinary stone formation. We believe that the results of this study will contribute to the elucidation of the mechanism underlying urinary stone formation and the development of novel molecular targeted therapeutics.

Free Research Field

尿路結石症

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

その高い有病率、及び再発率から、尿路結石の分子細胞生物学的な発生機序に基づく革新的な尿路結石治療法の確立が今後の課題である。
本研究の結果は、これまで知られていなかった尿路結石過程におけるOSMの働きを明らかにするものであり、学術的にも意義のある成果であると考えている。また、将来的に尿路結石形成機序の解明や新規分子標的治療薬の開発に貢献できる可能性があり、尿路結石に悩む患者が多いことから、社会的意義も非常に大きいと考えられる。