Elucidation of mechanisms for maintaining the glomerular capillary network focusing on edothelial cell heterogeneity

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08620
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53040:Nephrology-related
• Research Institution: Nippon Medical School
• Principal Investigator: Mii Akiko 日本医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (50544417)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 清水 章 日本医科大学, 大学院医学研究科, 大学院教授 (00256942)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 糸球体腎炎 / 内皮細胞 / エネルギー代謝

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To inhibit of progressive glomerular diseases, it is crucial to maintain the structure and function of the glomerular capillary network and ensure proper repair after damage. This study investigates the regulatory mechanisms at play in the interactions between glomerular endothelial cells and the surrounding cell groups, focusing on morphology and function, using a rat reversible nephritis model and human renal biopsy samples.
We clarified that the metabolic profile of the glomerular microenvironment alters significantly during the repair process following rat Thy1 nephritis induction. Additionally, in various human glomerular diseases, we found that the interactions among glomerular cells and the qualitative differences in infiltrating inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, are related to the severity of endothelial cell damage.

Free Research Field

腎臓内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、可逆性腎炎モデル及びヒト腎生検サンプルを用いて、１）糸球体内皮細胞とそれを取り巻く細胞群の動きを可視化し（形態の変化）、２）糸球体内の代謝プロファイルの変化（機能の変化）の検証により、糸球体障害とその後の修復過程における糸球体微小環境の変容とその制御機構を解明することで、糸球体硬化（糸球体疾患）の進展抑制に結びつく普遍的な治療応用への可能性が期待できる。