Elucidation of immune cell activation mechanism in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K21297
• Project/Area Number (Other): 18H06192 (2018)
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund (2019); Single-year Grants (2018)
• Review Section: 0902:General internal medicine and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Inoue Tsuyoshi 東京大学, 医学部附属病院, 特任助教 (30821665)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-08-24 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 腎臓 / 迷走神経刺激 / マクロファージ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the mechanism regarding the renal protection effect of vagus nerve stimulation,. Stimulating the vagus nerve releases acetylcholine from the nerve endings, and we showed that acetylcholine induces Hes1 gene expression through a specific receptor present in macrophages and improves renal injury. We also found that in a model of cisplatin-induced kidney injury that is often encountered in clinical practice, vagus nerve stimulation can reduce renal damage even after kidney injury has occurred.

Free Research Field

腎臓

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

多くの方が腎臓病を患う一方、腎臓病の根本的な治療法はいまだに存在せず、新たな治療法の開発は喫緊の課題である。本研究によって、神経系－免疫系を介した新規の腎臓保護作用メカニズムの一端を解明することができた。今後さらに研究を進めることで、腎臓病の新規の治療法開発につなげていきたい。