Immunological analysis of the effect of small molecule compound, terrein, on the mechanism of inflammatory bone destruction.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18509
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57030:Conservative dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshimura Saki (中川沙紀) 岡山大学, 歯学部, 客員研究員 (60814522)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: terrein / 歯周病 / 骨粗鬆症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, I focused on terrein, a small molecule with anti-inflammatory properties, and analyzed its effects on inflammatory bone-destroying pathologies using various mouse disease models to investigate the potential of terrein as a therapeutic agent for bone-destroying diseases. The results of this study showed that 1) terrein inhibited bone destruction in mouse ovariectomized osteoporosis model and ligature-induced periodontitis model, and 2) terrein inhibited protein phosphorylation of PKC-alpha/beta II in the RANKL signaling pathway. These results suggest that terrein has potential as a drug candidate for the treatment of bone-destroying diseases.

Free Research Field

歯科保存学分野

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果において，terreinは既存の骨破壊抑制薬（ビスフォスフォネート製剤）とは異なる作用機序によって破骨細胞分化を抑制できる可能性が示唆された。Terreinは低分子化合物であることから，経口投与が可能といった幅広い創薬への応用が期待される。将来的には歯周炎を始めとする炎症性骨破壊疾患に対する治療薬への応用を検討し，健康長寿社会構築に貢献できる化合物になることが期待される。