Growth mechanism of benign prostatic hyperplasia by autoimmune reaction using complement factor B knockout rats

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18120
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56030:Urology-related
• Research Institution: Fukushima Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Hata Junya 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (00769606)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 前立腺肥大症 / 補体 / 自己免疫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To evaluate the involvement of complement factor B in the growth process of benign prostatic hyperplasia, we created factor B deficient (-/-) rats using CRISPR/Cas system. By transplanting rat fetal urogenital sinus to factor B deficient and wild-type rats, we created benign prostatic hyperplasia model rats and performed weight calculation and molecular biological evaluation. These results showed that factor B deficient rats showed significantly decreased prostate weight compared with wild-type rats, and the stromal proliferation was also decreased. Expression analysis revealed that the expression of each complement component (C1q, C3, MBL, and C5b-9) was significantly decreased in factor B-deficient rats, suggesting that complement factor B has a promoting effect on the growth process of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Free Research Field

前立腺肥大症

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、前立腺肥大症増殖過程における補体系の関与を確定的なものにした成果をもたらしたと考えている。補体系は本来、自然免疫系の一つとして知られているが、最近では炎症の増幅経路としての機能が注目されている。今回、補体B因子を標的とすることで、前立腺肥大症増殖促進作用及びその阻害による増殖抑制効果が示された、つまり、前立腺肥大症に対する新規治療標的となり、創薬につながる発展性を有していると考えられる。