Elucidation of exosome-mediated crosstalk between adipose tissue and liver in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17955
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 54040:Metabolism and endocrinology-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Komiya Chikara 東京医科歯科大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (60825256)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: エクソソーム / miRNA / 肥満 / NASH

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Comprehensive analysis of serum exosomal miRNAs from obese mice using next-generation sequencing revealed that specific exosomal miRNAs are increased in obesity. Experiments with mice lacking a gene essential for hypoxic response in adipose tissue suggested that some of the increased exosomal miRNAs in obesity are possibly secreted from hypoxic adipose tissue. Although it was speculated that these exosomal miRNAs might be involved in crosstalk between adipose tissue and liver, animal studies indicated that they have a limited effect on the pathophysiology of NASH.

Free Research Field

内分泌代謝学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

肥満において、血中のエクソソームが内包するmiRNAの変化を経時的に解析し、脂肪組織の低酸素応答により変化するものと変化しないものがあることを見出した。今後、個々のmiRNAについて、脂肪組織と肝臓の臓器連関への関与を検討することで、NASHに対する新たな治療標的の創出に繋がる可能性が期待できる。