Chromatin dynamics of skin T cells in the pathogenesis of psoriasis

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K24043
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0906:Surgery related to the biological and sensory functions and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: SHIBATA Sayaka 東京大学, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (50613105)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 皮膚炎症性疾患 / 皮膚免疫 / 表皮細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The skin is located at the most outer part of the body and is constantly exposed to hostile insults, including physical injury, invading pathogens and UV. In response to stress signaling, keratinocytes and immune cells in epidermis or dermis immediately start to communicate with each other, thereby placing local immune cells on high alert and restoring skin damage. Interplay between keratinocytes and immune cells is well-balanced, and sustained overactivation of these cells results in pathogenic states often characterized by excessive inflammation. In this study, we have focused on epigenetic environment of cells involved in chronic skin diseases. In psoriasis, one of the representative chronic skin diseases, the repressive function of chromatin remodelers is suggested to be impaired.

Free Research Field

皮膚炎症性疾患

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

持続するストレス応答はストレス耐性の獲得につながる一方、細胞内のエピジェネティクス環境がストレス刺激前の状態に十分に戻らない場合、刺激にたいする過敏性を誘導する可能性がある。慢性皮膚炎症性疾患におけるエピジェネティクス環境は病態の維持期や再発期において役割を担っている可能性があり、エピジェネティクスという視点からの病態解明は新規の乾癬治療戦略という点においても重要である。