Elucidation of the effect of microRNA on histological findings and clinical course in dilated cardiomyopathy

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17091
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53020:Cardiology-related
• Research Institution: Osaka Metropolitan University (2022); Osaka City University (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Shibata Atsushi 大阪公立大学, 大学院医学研究科, 病院講師 (60722668)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 拡張型心筋症 / コホート研究 / 心筋生検組織 / microRNA / 逆リモデリング / 心臓周囲脂肪 / 筋肉内脂肪

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To elucidate the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy, a study was planned based on the hypothesis that "changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression due to environmental and acquired factors are involved in myocardial remodeling in dilated cardiomyopathy.
First, a cohort study of myocardial biopsy cases of nonischemic cardiomyopathy was conducted to develop baseline data, including myocardial tissue findings. From this cohort study, we found an association between thigh intramuscular fat percentage and heart failure events, and between pericardial fat and left ventricular reverse remodeling.
We also extracted miRNAs in myocardial tissue from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and examined their expression profiles. As a result, we found that several miRNAs, including miR-198, may be involved in left ventricular reverse remodeling.

Free Research Field

循環器内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

拡張型心筋症の病態解明は不十分であり、そのため治療はこの20年、対症療法から脱却できていない。拡張型心筋症の病態を解明し原因療法へとつなげることが拡張型心筋症治療のブレークスルーには必要である。
本研究にて得られた成果から、環境要因・後天性要因によるmiRNAの発現の変化が、拡張型心筋症患者の心筋リモデリングに関与する可能性が示唆された。この成果はmiRNAの制御という観点からみた拡張型心筋症の新規治療標法の開発に繋がるものと考えられ学術的意義は非常に高いと考える。