Development of a bacteria-derived ACE2-like enzyme as a therapeutics for treating cardiovascular diseases

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K21566
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 52:General internal medicine and related fields
• Research Institution: Akita University
• Principal Investigator: Kuba Keiji 秋田大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (10451915)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-07-30 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ACE2 / B38-CAP / ARDS / 心不全 / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 / 敗血症 / 急性肺傷害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The discovery of the ACE2-like enzyme B38-CAP based on the concept of convergent evolution in microorganisms suggests that it can be an alternative to the recombinant ACE2 protein, which is costly and time-consuming for mass production. We thus conducted research for the therapeutic application of B38-CAP, which can be prepared in large quantities very quickly. Specifically, we investigated the therapeutic effects of ACE2-like enzyme B38-CAP in an animal model of acute cardiovascular respiratory failure and COVID-19. The results showed that B38-CAP prevented acute cardiovascular respiratory failure due to sepsis and aspiration pneumonia, as well as the aggravation of COVID-19 pneumonia. Therefore, we were able to establish the basis of practical treatment techniques for acute cardiovascular respiratory failure by using ACE2-like enzymes.

Free Research Field

薬理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果により、ACE2様酵素B38-CAPを用いた心不全、ARDS/急性呼吸不全、敗血症やCOVID-19に対する治療への応用が期待できる。とりわけACE2酵素が大腸菌タンパク質生産系で調製し蛋白調製の効率化を図れることに加えて、他の蛋白製剤についてもジェネリック蛋白製剤の概念を応用することが期待される。