the role of vascular smooth muscle cell autophagy against diabetes related atherosclerosis

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11675
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Juntendo University
• Principal Investigator: Mita Tomoya 順天堂大学, 医学部, 准教授 (90532557)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: オートファジー / 動脈硬化 / 糖尿病 / 平滑筋細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Diabetes is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Autophagy dysfunction may contribute to the onset and progression of atherosclerosis in diabetic condition. In this study, we demonstrated that streptozotocin induced diabetic smooth muscle cells specific autophagy dysfunction mice fed with high phosphorus diet and administered with vitamin D had more aortic calcified lesion than control diabetic mice. Based on the possible implication of smooth muscle autophagy, the induction of autophagy may be a potential therapeutic strategy against the progression of aortic calcification.

Free Research Field

糖尿病学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によりオートファジーの機能低下が血管の石灰化を促進することが示された。この研究の成果により、2型糖尿病患者の石灰化病変の進展抑制に関して、オートファジーをターゲットとした新しい動脈硬化抑制薬の開発につながる可能性があり、臨床上も極めて意義があると考えられる。