Periostin secreted by activated fibroblasts in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis promotes tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung cancer

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17745
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55040:Respiratory surgery-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Yamato Hiroyuki 大阪大学, 医学部附属病院, 医員 (80836255)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 特発性肺線維症合併肺癌 / Periostin / 肺癌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study analyzed the effects of periostin (Pn) secreted from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)-derived fibroblasts (DIPF) on lung cancer cells and examined whether Pn could be a target molecule for lung cancer therapy. The expression analysis of Pn in resected lung cancer specimens showed that Pn was expressed in the interstitium of IPF (noncancerous area) compared to cancer interstitium, and that Pn secreted from DIPF increased the proliferation of lung cancer cells by the secreted Pn. Furthermore, inhibition of Pn suppressed the proliferation of lung cancer cells, suggesting that activated fibroblasts in IPF are involved in the proliferation of lung cancer cells via Pn secretion, and that Pn may be a new therapeutic target for lung cancer patients with IPF.

Free Research Field

肺癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

特発性肺線維症(IPF)合併肺癌(LC-IPF)は予後が不良なことは知られているが、その機序は明らかでない。本研究でIPFにおいて活性化した線維芽細胞がPeriostinという蛋白を分泌することで、肺癌の増殖に関与していることが示唆され、Periostinが特発性肺線維症合併肺癌の新たな治療標的になりえることが示せた。