Basic research for treating liver disease by using platelet concentrates

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17597
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55010:General surgery and pediatric surgery-related
• Research Institution: Kumamoto Health Science University
• Principal Investigator: Noboruo Ippei 熊本保健科学大学, 保健科学部, 講師 (00832007)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 脱シアル化血小板 / HepG2細胞 / ERK1/2 / p38 MAPK

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study is to elucidate the mechanism by which platelets in transfusion platelet preparations improve liver function. First, we analyzed the temporal changes in platelet function and surface markers of stored platelets, revealing an increase in desialylated platelets over time.Furthermore, we examined the impact of desialylated platelets on the human liver cancer cell line HepG2. The addition of desialylated platelets promoted the proliferation of HepG2 cells and led to the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK within these cells. These results suggest that desialylated platelets may have a proliferative effect on liver cells.

Free Research Field

内科学一般関連

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで、肝再生に血小板が関与することは報告されているが、本研究により、血小板を保管することにより増加した老化血小板（脱シアル化血小板）が肝細胞の増殖を促進する効果があることが明らかとなった。これらの研究成果は、血小板または血小板製剤を用いた肝疾患に対する新規治療法につながる可能性があり、社会的意義は高いと言える。