重症デング熱におけるmiRNAのバイオマーカー探索及び機能解析

2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K08954
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: モイ メンリン 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 教授 (40597499)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: デング熱 / miRNA

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

The proposed research strategy involves the following three components (clinical, virologic and immunologic). We have collected 100 serum
samples from patients with dengue and severe dengue in Vietnam, Myanmar and Japan. Using a panel of 10 cytokines, inflammatory mediators were first tested to determine cytokine levels and classify it according to disease severity. Using PCA studies, we were able to group sampmles according to severity, particularly for samples that were negative for virus RNA. miRNA was then isolated from 6 acute and 6 convalescent samples, and a microarray was used to examine the miRNAs and ranking used to determine miRNAs that were overly expressed during the acute disease phase.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, our collaborators were not able to further collect patient samples according to schedule. While the sample collection phase of the project has been delayed for another year, the miRNA analyses will continue with samples collected prior to the implementation of the COVID-19 movement restrictions.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

For the current year, we plan to continue on sample collection and statistically analyse the samples for differentially expressed miRNA and associated pathways. We will next look into overexpression of the miRNA in vitro to determine the association with differential clinical outcomes in dengue.

Causes of Carryover

Sample collection and analyses was delayed due to COVID-19 movement restrictions. We expect to analyze and publish the results by the end of this fiscal year.