Analysis of immunological crosstalk between inflammatory skin diseases and bone

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17332
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53050:Dermatology-related
• Research Institution: University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
• Principal Investigator: Saito-Sasaki Natsuko 産業医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (70745405)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 乾癬 / 骨粗鬆症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Imiquimod, which activates local immunity via TLR receptors, is used as a treatment for solar keratosis and condyloma acuminatum, but its repeated application is known to induce a psoriasis-like rash. Therefore, we decided to analyze the bones of a mouse model of psoriasis created by applying imiquimod.
Imiquimod was applied to the backs of shaved mice three times a week for four weeks. Mice were weighed weekly and bone density was measured using micro-CT. Body weight and bone density were predominantly decreased compared to the control mice.

Free Research Field

皮膚科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

この研究では、皮膚病は生活習慣病などの全身性の疾患と繋がりがあることがこれまでに多くの研究で示されてきた。全身にひろがる炎症性皮膚疾患は、慢性炎症を惹起し、骨密度までも低下させることは、今後、高齢化がすすむ社会においてより大きな問題となる可能性がある。皮膚の炎症を適切に制御し、転倒などによる骨折のリスクを下げ、高齢化社会においてもより健康にすごせるよう、皮膚科医にもその重責があることが今回の研究で示されたと考えられる。