A new barrier-related gene encoding epithelial stress-induced peptide

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K08295
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53050:Dermatology-related
• Research Institution: Kagawa University (2020); Kyoto University (2018-2019)
• Principal Investigator: Dainichi Teruki 香川大学, 医学部, 教授 (20423543)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 表皮 / 炎症 / バリア / アトピー性皮膚炎 / 乾癬

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The epidermis is involved in barrier, innate and adaptive immunity of the skin. We found that up-regulation of an orphan gene was shared in the skin with different, many types of inflammation. We named this molecule epithelial stress-induced peptide (ESIP). The human orthologue gene product was highly expressed in the epidermis of atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. ESIP gene transfection into normal human epidermal keratinocytes induced expression of inflammatory mediators, and gene ontology analyses showed its association to barrier formation.

Free Research Field

皮膚科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ESIPが上皮ストレス応答のマスターレギュレーターであり、多様な臨床像を示すアトピー性皮膚炎の慢性炎症を決定づける表皮由来因子である可能性を考えた。これまでアトピー性皮膚炎などの慢性の炎症性皮膚疾患の治療標的は免疫細胞が主体であった。本研究成果により、全身の皮膚を覆う組織である表皮が、これらの皮膚疾患の新しい治療標的となる可能性を提案できる。