The role of Gfi1 in the differentiation of mast cells

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K06650
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 47030:Pharmaceutical hygiene and biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition
• Principal Investigator: YAMAGUCHI Tomoko 国立研究開発法人医薬基盤・健康・栄養研究所, 医薬基盤研究所 幹細胞制御プロジェクト, 研究員 (50580130)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: マスト細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Mast cells are primary effectors not only in allergic disorders, but also in other immune diseases such as chronic inflammatory disorders. Mast cells are generally classified into two phenotypically distinct populations: mucosal-type mast cells (MMCs) and connective tissue-type mast cells (CTMCs). However, the molecular basis determining the different characteristics of the mast cell subclasses still remains unclear. In this study, we generate knock-out (KO) mice and analyze the number of mast cells in the KO mice. Our results showed that the number of mast cell progenitors and CTMCs was decreased in KO mice. In addition, engraftment of WT bone marrow cells in w-sh/w-sh recipients restored the generation of CTMCs to normal levels. In contrast, engraftment of KO bone marrow cells in w-sh/w-sh mice failed to restore mast cell generation. These results showed that differentiation of CTMCs might be regulated by Gfi1.

Free Research Field

薬学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、マスト細胞分化の分子機構の一端が解明できれば、将来的にはマスト細胞の分化・成熟化を標的としたこれまでとは異なった作用機序を有する新規アレルギー治療法の開発が期待される。