Detection of neutrophil extracellular traps by measuring citrullinated fibrinogen in serum

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K07822
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52010:General internal medicine-related
• Research Institution: Shinshu University
• Principal Investigator: Higuchi Yumiko 信州大学, 医学部, 講師(特定雇用) (40757241)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 奥村 伸生 信州大学, 学術研究院保健学系, 特任教授 (60252110)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: シトルリン化フィブリノゲン / 好中球細胞外トラップ / 炎症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to investigate whether quantification of serum citrullinated fibrinogen (Cit-Fbg) could be used to detect neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). First, Cit-Fbg levels in supernatants of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated neutrophils co-cultured with fibrinogen significantly increased in vitro. Next, serum Cit-Fbg levels significantly increased in patients with infectious disease compared to healthy control (HC), and NETs marker levels also increased in patients with sepsis. Although serum Cit-Fbg levels also significantly increased in patients with cancer compared to HC, there was no increase in NETs markers in these patients.The increase in serum Cit-Fbg in infectious diseases may reflect inflammatory pathology, including NETs. Further investigation is needed to clarify the cause of the increase in Cit-Fbg in cancer patients.

Free Research Field

病態解析学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

シトルリン化フィブリノゲン(Cit-Fbg)濃度の上昇が好中球細胞外トラップ(NETs)に起因することをin vitroで定量的に示した。感染症患者の血清中Cit-Fbgは有意に上昇しており、特に敗血症においてはNETsの増加も認めたことから、Cit-FbgはNETsを含めた炎症病態を反映することが示唆された。がん患者の血清中Cit-Fbg増加原因については、Cit-FbgやNETsの低濃度域での検出の開発を含めさらなる検討が必要と考えられた。