Discovery of pathogenesis-related biomarkers from blood exosome analysis in glaucomatous optic neuropathy

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K09793
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: Gifu Pharmaceutical University
• Principal Investigator: Shimazawa Masamitsu 岐阜薬科大学, 薬学部, 教授 (80381721)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 原 英彰 岐阜薬科大学, 薬学部, 学長 (20381717)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: エクソソーム / 網膜神経節細胞 / 緑内障

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We analyzed miRNAs in the blood-derived exosomes of a mouse model of optic nerve axonal degeneration by next-generation sequencing to identify miRNAs that change with optic nerve degeneration. As a result, 1,882 miRNAs were detected in blood-derived exosomes, and 192 miRNAs were identified, with a peak at 7 days and a significant (>2-fold increase or decrease, p < 0.05) change between 1 and 14 days after optic nerve crush. Some of the 192 miRNAs were consistent with changes in miRNAs in the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma. The finding that these changes were detected by blood-derived exosomes may have potential as a biomarker.

Free Research Field

眼薬理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

年齢差、他疾患の罹患、遺伝的・環境背景因子などの影響が少ない実験動物を用いて眼圧に依存しない視神経変性モデルにおいて、視路変性過程におけるmiRNAの変動を血液由来エクソソームにより捉えることができた。本研究は、緑内障の病態解明およびバイオマーカーの確立の可能性が期待できる成果である。