Functional elucidation of two forms of Galectin-9 and their potential application to diagnosis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K07068
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49070:Immunology-related
• Research Institution: Kagawa University
• Principal Investigator: Niki Toshiro 香川大学, 医学部, 助教 (40558508)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ガレクチン９ / エクソソーム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Human acute monocytic leukemia cell THP1 was shown to secrete Gal-9 encapsulated in exosome-containing extracellular vesicles (EVs) upon PMA stimulation. This Gal-9 was completely encapsulated in EVs and was the L- and M-type splicing variant of Gal-9. An ELISA method for the quantification of EV Gal-9 was developed, and plasma from patients with various diseases was assayed. Since EV Gal-9 was elevated in dengue fever patients during the convalescence period, confirmation by increasing the number of samples is necessary. No differences were observed in AIDS, tuberculosis, and AIDS/tuberculosis, reflecting the severity of the disease.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

Gal-9は複数のリセプターに結合して多機能な作用を及ぼす免疫調節因子であり、ガン免疫療法のターゲットとしても注目されている。一方でDamage-associated molecular patternとしての一面もあり様々な感染症や慢性疾患で血中濃度が顕著に上昇するため疾患の重症度マーカーとしての研究も数多い。本科研費研究ではGal-9にEVに内包された形態が存在していることを示し、その定量方法を開発した。今後様々な疾患の診断、EV内包の分子機序解明およびGal-9抑制薬の開発等において新しい視点を与える重要な研究成果である。