Elucidation of molecular pathogenesis and novel diagnostic methods in inflammatory oocyte pick-up dysfunction

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K23708
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0605:Veterinary medical science, animal science, and related fields
• Research Institution: Rakuno Gakuen University
• Principal Investigator: Hosotani Marina 酪農学園大学, 獣医学群, 助教 (80848797)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 卵管 / 不妊症 / 自己免疫疾患 / 卵子pick-up / マウス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we elucidate the pathology of the oviductal epithelium and its molecular pathogenesis related to oocyte pick-up dysfunction in autoimmune disease-prone mice. We found that the morphological changes of ovarian bursa caused by mesosalpinx fibrosis and abnormality in speed and direction of ciliary beating induce oocyte pick-up dysfunction in autoimmune disease-prone mice. Furthermore, expression of hedgehog signaling pathway-related genes was significantly downregulated in the oviductal infundibulum with deterioration of autoimmune abnormality. Since hedgehog signaling plays a role in maintaining homeostasis of adult epithelium, it is highly estimated that the hedgehog signaling attenuation involves in the pathogenesis of oviductal epithelium. Thus, we found the essential key of the molecular pathogenesis of oocyte pick-up dysfunction in autoimmune disease mice.

Free Research Field

獣医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

自己免疫疾患を有する女性や免疫系バランスの破綻した動物は高率に不妊症となることが知られるが、免疫異常と雌性生殖器の形態機能異常の関連については不明な点が多い。一方本研究では、免疫異常が卵管上皮の形態機能異常を招くことを明らかにした。現状、哺乳類における卵管pick-up障害の診断法は無く、原因不明の雌性不妊症にpick-up障害が関与する可能性が示唆されている。本研究で明らかとなった卵管形態機能異常およびそれに関連する分子病態は、卵管性不妊症の新たな診療・治療ターゲットの開発に繋がる。