Development of novel therapies mediated by IL-11/JAK/STAT3 axis in wound healing

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18914
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56070:Plastic and reconstructive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: kato tatsuya 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 助教 (60641321)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 肥厚性瘢痕 / メカニカルストレス / IL-11

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Mechanical stresses such as repetitive tension on the scar can cause scar thickening and significantly reduce patient quality of life. It has been shown that IL11 plays a major role in cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction, and IL-11 expression is also increased in skin scars. It was suggested that IL-11 may have some effect on the increase of angiogenesis in scars after mechanical stress. In order to confirm the effect of IL-11 in vivo, they administered IL-11 into the body of mice, but no obvious effect was observed in the scars. Furthermore, no increase in IL11 expression was observed in scar tissue from keloid patients.

Free Research Field

形成外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

心筋梗塞後の心筋線維化にIL11 が影響するのと同様に、皮膚瘢痕においてIL11 が影響を与える可能性が示唆された。メカニカルストレスによって瘢痕が増大するメカニズムに、IL11 が血管新生を介してその一端を担っている可能性が示唆された。皮膚瘢痕は悪化すると顕著に患者QOLを損なうが、現在ステロイド投与などの対症療法が主となっている。IL11 がケロイド・肥厚性瘢痕の治療の標的となる可能性が示唆され今後この解明がさらに進めば、全く新しい治療方法の開発につながると考えられる。