Analysis of the association between pathological type of Ulcerative Colitis and gut microbes, balance of functional T cell subset, and type of HLA.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16972
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53010:Gastroenterology-related
• Research Institution: Tokai University
• Principal Investigator: Kaneko Motoki 東海大学, 医学部, 助教 (80869058)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 潰瘍性大腸炎 / T細胞バランス / HLA / 腸内細菌叢

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an intractable disease typically characterized by chronic inflammation confined to the colon, and the number of patients has been increasing rapidly in recent years. While some cases respond to anti-TNF-a antibody therapy, there are many refractory cases with repeated relapses and remissions, and a useful biomarker that contributes to individualizing cases is needed. In this study, we attempted to subdivide UC patients from three perspectives: the balance of functional T cell subsets, HLA types as antigen-presenting molecules, and gut microbiota. A characteristic population was identified for each, but their relationships were not clear, and further analysis was required.

Free Research Field

消化器内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

UCを含む炎症性腸疾患の治療については、抗TNF-a抗体療法を中心として、炎症および免疫応答に関与する種々の分子を標的とした新規薬剤の開発が続いているが、いまだ十分な治療法は確立されていない。本研究では、新たに機能性T細胞バランスに偏向を認める新たな集団を見出した。現在、UCの新規治療法として期待されているTh2型サイトカイン標的化との相関が想定され、その同定法とともに、今後の臨床応用が期待される。