Analysis of complex interplay of mechanosignaling pathways in abnormal scarring

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18919
• 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: Nippon Medical School
• Principal Investigator: Dohi Teruyuki 日本医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (10575385)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 異常瘢痕 / メカノシグナル伝達経路 / ケロイド / 肥厚性瘢痕

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of the anatomical structures of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the whole body, as well as the mechanical properties caused by daily movements, and found that abnormal scars tend to occur in areas where strong mechanical loading are applied.　We also found that keloids spread inflammation to the peripheral normal skin under high strain, and activation of mechanosignaling pathways related to the strain was observed. RNA sequencing analysis was then performed in three sites: in the highly strained peripheral normal skin, inside the highly stressed keloid, and in the control skin. We would like to develop novel therapies by identifying candidate factors that regulate persistent inflammation in this characteristic region.

Free Research Field

形成外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

異常瘢痕であるケロイドや肥厚性瘢痕は、掻痒や疼痛やひきつれに加え、ときに排膿を繰り返すこともあり、醜形とともにQuality of Life(QOL)の低下をもたらしている。特にケロイドは難治性であり、この異常瘢痕の発生メカニズムの解明や根治的な治療法の開発が待たれている。本研究では、異常瘢痕発生に重要な力学的要素の詳細な解析に基づいて、細胞・分子レベルでの解析・検討を行っている。得られた知見によって、より詳細な病態の解明や新たな治療標的分子の同定につながることが期待される。