Role for the Endo180 in collagen gel contraction mediated by corneal fibroblasts

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18401
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: Kindai University
• Principal Investigator: Takahashi Aya 近畿大学, 奈良病院, 講師 (70460889)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Endo180 / コラーゲン / 角膜実質細胞 / 角膜線維芽細胞 / uPA / TGFβ / αSMA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Endo180 is a receptor for collagen that mediates its cellular internalization and also known as urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) receptor-associated protein (uPARAP). In this study, anti-Endo180 antibody significantly inhibited the gel contraction induced by corneal fibroblasts, suggesting that Endo180 directly participate collagen gel contraction by corneal fibroblasts. We also found that Endo180 is cleaved by uPA and attenuates TGFβ/Smad3 signal by suppressing the interaction between collagen and corneal fibroblasts, and negatively regulates αSMA expression.

Free Research Field

角膜

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

角膜は光の屈折を担う組織であり、視力の維持のためには透明であることが重要である。角膜感染症の後、角膜実質が瘢痕性に治癒すると角膜は混濁し視力低下をきたす。本研究では角膜実質におけるEndo180の発現や役割を明らかにして角膜実質細胞の筋線維芽細胞への形質転換やコラーゲン収縮能に与える影響を検討することで角膜実質の瘢痕形成や組織収縮の抑制を目的とし、将来的には角膜の不可逆的な混濁による視力予後の改善および患者のQOLの改善に役立つことが期待できる。