Mechanisms for oral mucosal wound healing regulated by mechanosensory cation channel

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K23033
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0907:Oral science and related fields
• Research Institution: Saga University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshimoto Reiko 佐賀大学, 医学部, 助教 (70878181)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 創傷治癒 / 口腔粘膜 / イオンチャネル / メカノセンサー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Oral mucosa heals more rapidly with less scar than skin. Therefore, elucidating the mechanism of rapid wound healing of the oral mucosa may provide clues for new methods to promote wound healing. Since we found the expression of mechanosensitive cation channels in the oral mucosa, we investigated the role of mechanosensory channels in the wound healing processes. Immunofluorescence and live cell imaging using gingival epithelial cell lines revealed channel agonist-induced changes in cell migration and subcellular localization of the molecules at the super-resolution level. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis of a mouse palatal wound model revealed changes in mechanosensor expression and localization during the wound healing processes.

Free Research Field

常態系口腔科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

創傷からの速やかな治癒は、けが、手術後、褥瘡など多様な局面で課題となる。本研究では、重層扁平上皮の創傷治癒モデルとして、マウス口蓋創傷モデルを採用した。そして、粘膜上皮の治癒過程において重要な役割を果たす上皮の集団移動におけるメカノセンサーの関与を見出した。メカノセンサーの制御が治癒促進に関わることが示唆される結果が得られたことから、局所的かつ時間的なメカノセンサーの調節を標的とした治癒促進薬剤の応用が想定される。