Significance of gamma-chain in severe cutaneous adverse reactions

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17779
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53050:Dermatology-related
• Research Institution: Yokohama City University
• Principal Investigator: WATANABE Yuko (國見裕子) 横浜市立大学, 医学部, 講師 (10567605)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 重症薬疹 / アレルギー / バイオマーカー / Stevens-Johnson 症候群 / 中毒性表皮壊死症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study examined the expression of γ-chain subunits in Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic necrolysis (TEN). Serum γ-chain levels in SJS/TEN patients in the early stage of disease onset were significantly higher than those in the general drug eruption group and decreased during the recovery phase. Furthermore, serum γ-chain levels in SJS/TEN patients were correlated with severity of SJS/TEN, sequelae, and death.
When comparing serum and blister fluid in the same SJS/TEN patients, blister fluids were found to have higher γ-chain levels than serum. Immunostaining of the skin of SJS/TEN patients showed a significant enhancement of γ-chain expression in epidermal cells. Furthermore, in vitro experiments suggested that soluble γ-chain was involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis-related factors in human epidermal cells.

Free Research Field

皮膚科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

SJS/TENは重篤で急速進行性で致死的な皮膚粘膜疾患であるが、診断、病勢、予後を予測するバイオマーカーは確立していない。本研究によって、血清γ-chain値は病勢、予後を反映することが示され、新たなバイオマーカー候補としての可能性が示唆された。今後はさらに、SJS/TENの病態への関与について研究を行い、治療標的としての可能性を検討する。