Pathological role of scavenger receptor family molecules in lung diseases associated with environmental particles

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H03880
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58020:Hygiene and public health-related: including laboratory approach
• Research Institution: Ritsumeikan University
• Principal Investigator: Masafumi Nakayama 立命館大学, 薬学部, 教授 (20453582)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 森本 展行 東北大学, 工学研究科, 准教授 (00313263) ; 守田 匡伸 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 講師 (10519094)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: スカベンジャー受容体 / シリカ / 粉塵 / 肺炎

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The inhalation of environmental particles is associated with pulmonary diseases, which are triggered by various immune cells; however, the detail mechanisms still remain largely unknown. We have previously reported that the class B scavenger receptor SR-B1 recognizes silica, one of major components of environmental particles. In this study, we have reveals that SR-A1, SR-A6, and SR-B2 also recognize silica and are all expressed on inflammatory macrophages infiltrating into alveolar spaces. These results suggest that the class A and class B SRs are involved in lung diseases associated with environmental pollutants.

Free Research Field

衛生化学・免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

日常生活において私たちは常に多かれ少なかれPM2.5や粉塵といった大気中微粒子を吸い込んでいる。肺疾患の患者数は年々増加傾向にあり、その一因としてこのような環境微粒子曝露の可能性が考えられる。本研究では、環境微粒子の主成分の一つであるシリカ（二酸化珪素）の焦点を当て、その免疫細胞による認識機構を明らかにした。その成果は環境性肺疾患の病態の一端を明らかにするものであり、その新たな治療法の開発が期待される。