Molecular mechanism of aortic dissection: the role of B cell and immunoglobulin

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K09137
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55030:Cardiovascular surgery-related
• Research Institution: Kurume University
• Principal Investigator: Furusho Aya 久留米大学, 医学部, 助教 (80597427)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 青木 浩樹 久留米大学, 付置研究所, 教授 (60322244)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: 大動脈解離 / 炎症応答 / B細胞 / 免疫グロブリン / ネットワーク解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the analysis of inflammatory cell subsets in human aortic dissection tissue, two clusters were identified: one composed of B cells and helper T cell subsets, and another composed of M1/M2 macrophages and neutrophils. These clusters were found to be interconnected via B cells and M2 macrophages. In a mouse model of aortic dissection, network analysis of dissection-related gene groups revealed subnetworks associated with cell proliferation and inflammatory responses, among which B cell-related gene groups constitute a distinct regulatory system. In the same model, B cells were shown to exacerbate dissection through immunoglobulin-mediated mechanisms. Spatial transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the localized distribution of B cell-related gene groups.

Free Research Field

分子循環器学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

今回の研究で、大動脈解離病態では細胞間相互作用および遺伝子間相互作用がダイナミックなネットワークを形成しており、その中でB細胞および免疫グロブリンがハブの役割を果たしていることが示唆された。本研究から得られた知見は大動脈解離病態を個々の細胞や遺伝子の変化ではなくネットワークとして捉える視点を提供し、病態マーカーや治療標的を同定する際の基盤的な知識になると思われる。