ANGPTL4 on the Regulation of Gingival Epithelial Barrier and Wound Healing

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18503
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57030:Conservative dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Hara Miki 新潟大学, 医歯学総合研究科, 助教 (60848266)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 歯肉上皮バリア / ANGPTL4 / 歯周炎

Outline of Final Research Achievements

ANGPTL4 regulates the microenvironment and promotes repair of damaged tissues. However, little has been reported on its physiological role in periodontal tissues. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ANGPTL4 regulates the local environment in the gingival barrier function. ANGPTL4 was expressed constantly in gingival epithelial cells and gingival fibroblasts, but its expression was decreased by inflammation. On the other hand, the addition of ANGPTL4 in inflammatory conditions promoted the migration of epithelial cells. This suggests that ANGPTL4 may function as a local environmental regulator in periodontitis.

Free Research Field

歯周病学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

アンジオポエチン様因子は、血管新生作用、リンパ組織の新生能を有し、組織リモデリング因子として機能するのみならず、障害組織の修復を促進するための局所的な環境を整える「局所環境制御因子」としての機能が近年注目されている。しかしこの機能に着目して、歯周炎の制御を狙う検討はこれまでに報告がなく、口腔疾患の理解を深める学術的な意味を持つ。またそのメカニズムが明らかとなれば、歯周炎のみならず全身の上皮系バリア機構が関連する炎症性腸疾患やアトピー性皮膚炎などの病態解明や新しい治療法の開発につながる可能性をもち、その社会的意義は大きい。