Development of the epigenetic marker for atherosclerosis through mitochondrial DNA methylome analysis

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K15427
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52010:General internal medicine-related
• Research Institution: Iwate Medical University
• Principal Investigator: MIKAMI Takahiro 岩手医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (90804419)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 動脈硬化 / 頸動脈狭窄症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We elucidated that a specific metabolite named X is significantly increased in the whole blood of the patients of carotid artery stenosis (CAS). We further analyzed the association between X level and other atherosclerotic diseases; coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and cerebrovascular disease (CVD). It was elucidated that X was also associated with CAD, PAD, or CVD.
In conclusion, X was associated with atherosclerotic diseases, and reflected the progression of atherosclerosis.

Free Research Field

動脈硬化症

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

頸動脈狭窄症、冠動脈疾患、末梢動脈疾患、脳梗塞などの動脈硬化疾患は、その早期発見が予後に直結するため、早期発見が急務である。本研究では、これらの動脈硬化疾患の病勢進行と相関する血中マーカーXを見出し、疾患との関連性を明らかにした。このことによって、動脈硬化症の早期発見の可能性や、早期からの治療介入可能性が示唆された。