Fatty acid metabolic system that controls thepathophysiology of steatohepatitis

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H03643
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53010:Gastroenterology-related
• Research Institution: Tokai University
• Principal Investigator: KAMIYA AKIHIDE 東海大学, 医学部, 准教授 (30321904)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 肝細胞 / 非アルコール性脂肪肝炎 / iPS細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The liver is an important organ for fatty acid metabolism, and the progression of metabolic syndrome leads to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, liver tumors, and the like. We have found that Bcl6, one of the transcription factors that control liver function, is involved in the pathological control of steatohepatitis. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the function of downstream factors of Bcl6 using an in vivo rapid gene deletion induction system using adeno-associated virus and genome editing enzyme. We also constructed an in vitro steatohepatitis induction system using human iPS cell-derived hepatocytes.

Free Research Field

肝臓生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、我々が見出した脂肪肝炎制御因子としてのBcl6の機能に着目し、その下流因子と病態との関連について解析した。Bcl6の下流で脂肪肝炎の病態を悪化させる可能性のある因子を複数同定しており、今後これらの因子の活性を阻害するような薬剤を見出すことで、現在増加しつつある非アルコール性脂肪肝炎の治療等に役立つと考えている。