Investigation of IL-33/ST2 signaling in the pathogenesis of asthma-COPD overlap

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08508
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53030:Respiratory medicine-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Masaru 北海道大学, 医学研究院, 准教授 (10374290)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 慢性閉塞性肺疾患 / 気管支喘息 / 喘息-COPDオーバーラップ / IL-33

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Experimental results in asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) model mice showed that allergic airway inflammation promotes emphysema formation, and IL-33 is involved in this mechanism. In addition, IL-33 and apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM) were associated, suggesting that IL-33 elevation is involved in ACO pathogenesis in association with AIM in allergic airway inflammation and emphysema formation. Analysis of clinical specimens showed that serum IL-33 and ST2 levels were significantly elevated in asthma and ACO patients compared to COPD patients.

Free Research Field

呼吸器内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

喘息とCOPDの合併病態(ACO)は未だ不明な点が多いものの、今回の研究により、IL-33がACO病態の増強に関わっていることが示された。今後、臨床検体でのデータ解析の追加は必要であるものの、新規の治療標的となりうるものを同定した研究として、今回の研究結果は学術的意義および社会的意義があるものと考える。