Novel therapeutic strategies for IgG4-related diseases with anti-estrogenic agents targeting follicular dendritic cells

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K06901
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49020:Human pathology-related
• Research Institution: Yamagata University
• Principal Investigator: Ohe Rintaro 山形大学, 医学部, 講師 (40594338)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: IgG4-related disease / AID / FDC / estrogen receptor alpha

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The number of ERα-positive cells in the germinal centers (GCs) of IgG4-sialadenitis (IgG4-SA) specimens was higher in the IgG4-SA group than in the chronic salivary gland inflammation group. The number of AID-positive cells was also higher in the IgG4-SA group. The localization of ERα-positive cells within GCs was follicular dendritic cells. ERα-positive and AID-positive cells per GC were positively correlated in both IgG4-SA and chronic sialadenitis groups.

Free Research Field

人体病理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果より、IgG4関連疾患（IgG4-related disease; IgG4-RD）の病態メカニズムに、既知で報告されたAIDのならず、濾胞樹状細胞（FDC）が発現するエストロゲン受容体α（ERα）が関与することが示唆される。既に、別研究で抗エストロゲン薬がERα+ FDCに働き、肺中心形成が抑制される傍証が報告されている。従って、IgG4-RDに対しても、抗エストロゲン薬投与により肺中心形成が抑制され、IgG4陽性細胞が産生されにくくなる可能性がある。