Expression, functions, and synthesis regulation of reactive sulfur species in vascular endothelial cells

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07089
• 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: Tokyo University of Science
• Principal Investigator: Kaji Toshiyuki 東京理科大学, 薬学部薬学科, 教授 (90204388)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 血管内皮細胞 / 活性イオウ分子 / TGF-β / FGF-2 / バイオオルガノメタリクス / 細胞内シグナル経路 / 動脈硬化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Vascular endothelial cells are the only cell type in direct contact with blood, covering the lumen of blood vessels with a monolayer. The reactive sulfur species is a molecule with an excess of sulfur atoms added to the thiol group of L-cysteine, but its function and regulation of expression in vascular endothelial cells are still unknown. This study suggest that reactive sulfur species are produced in vascular endothelial cells in response to exogenous chemicals as well as cytokines/growth factors, and that endothelial cell functions are regulated by the reactive sulfur species. The reactive sulfur species-producing enzymes involved in this response varied depending on the stimuli, and the intracellular signaling pathways mediating the induction of these enzymes were also found to be diverse.

Free Research Field

衛生薬学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

血管内皮細胞の機能障害は動脈硬化病変，高血圧，血栓症などの血管病変の要因となる。本研究は，血管内皮細胞における活性イオウ分子の機能と合成調節が活性イオウ分子産生酵素の特定とその酵素の誘導を介在する細胞内シグナル経路のレベルで明らかにしたものであり，血管内皮細胞の機能調節の解明を確実に一歩進めたものであり，動脈硬化などの血管病変の予防と治療に新しい視点と展開をもたらす知見を提供するものである。