Thrombomodulin suppresses bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and develop to a new candidate for IPF treatment

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K08844
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54010:Hematology and medical oncology-related
• Research Institution: Fukushima Medical University
• Principal Investigator: WANG XINTAO 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (00448630)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 池添 隆之 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (80294833)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 特発性肺線維症 / Thrombomodulin / GPR15 / Bleomycin

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, irreversible and lethal lung fibrosis disease characterized by variable degrees of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. However, the pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear and currently there is no effective treatment for IPF. Thrombomodulin (TM) is an anticoagulant agent indicated for DIC treatment since 2008 in Japan. In this study, we identified that TM suppresses the BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis and elucidated the underlying mechanisms which are anti-inflammation and cytoprotection. We propose that TM can be considered as a new candidate for IPF treatment.

Free Research Field

呼吸器内科学　分子細胞呼吸器学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

特発性肺線維症は難治性肺疾患であり、進行性病態を示す。呼吸困難の症状によりQOLが極めて低い。いまだに有効な治療薬がなく、新薬の開発は急務である。今回の研究では、既存薬であるThrombomodulin（TM）を用いて、その抗炎症作用及び細胞保護作用による肺線維症における抗線維化効果を検証した。肺線維症治療に貢献できると考える。