Exploring biomarkers for Behcet's disease by analysis of serum exosome-derived microRNAs

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09724
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: Yokohama City University
• Principal Investigator: TAKEUCHI Masaki 横浜市立大学, 医学研究科, 特任准教授 (80794081)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ベーチェット病 / エクソソーム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Behcet's disease is an inflammatory disorder of unknown cause with recurrent attacks and remissions. Diagnosis is based on a combination of symptoms and lacks specific biomarkers. In this study, we hypothesized that exosomes are involved in the pathogenesis and development of Behcet's disease. In this study, we extracted exosome-derived miRNAs from serum of Behcet's disease patients and healthy subjects. A comprehensive genome-wide mature miRNA expression analysis was performed on the isolated miRNAs. By analyzing the association of the exosome information with clinical information and pathway analysis, we identified miRNAs that could be used to elucidate the pathogenesis of Behcet's disease and as candidate biomarkers.

Free Research Field

ぶどう膜炎

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果は、ベーチェット病の発症や病態形成に関わるエクソソーム由来のmiRNAを明らかとし、病態解明や効果的な治療標的の開発につながると考えている。今後は日本人、台湾人の検体を用いて本研究結果の再現性の検討やそれぞれの人種に特異的なバイオマーカーの検索を行っていく。将来的には、ベーチェット病のバイオマーカーの同定による早期診断の実現、さらには患者個々のエクソソーム情報も踏まえた個別化医療の開発を目指していく。