Investigation of pathogenesis and new therapeutic strategy for interstitial lung disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17897
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 54020:Connective tissue disease and allergy-related
• Research Institution: Toho University
• Principal Investigator: Muraoka Sei 東邦大学, 医学部, 助教 (40648052)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 関節リウマチ / 間質性肺炎 / フラクタルカイン / マクロファージ / SKGマウス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The expression of fractalkine (FKN) and its receptor, CX3CR1, was confirmed in lung tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We then analyzed the inhibitory effect of anti-FKN antibody on interstitial pneumonia using SKG mice that develop arthritis and interstitial pneumonia. The anti-FKN antibody did not attenuated the interstitial pneumonia in SKG mice. Anti-FKN antibody did not change the cell numbers of leukocytes, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and macrophages in alveolar lavage fluid of SKG mice. However, anti-FKN antibody decreased the number of M1 macrophages, which are mainly involved in inflammation, among macrophages in alveolar lavage fluid. These results suggest that FKN is involved in the pathogenesis of interstitial pneumonia.

Free Research Field

膠原病学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

間質性肺炎はしばしば関節リウマチに合併し、主要な死亡原因である。さらに、間質性肺炎の治療は確立していないうえに、副作用の観点から従来の抗リウマチ薬の使用が制限されることが多い。そのため、間質性肺炎を合併した患者に対しても安全で効果的な治療が期待されている。本研究はFKNが間質性肺炎の病態に関与していることを示したものであり、今後のより良い間質性肺炎合併関節リウマチ患者の治療開発に役立つ。