The role of DNA methylation on the maintenance of gastric mucosa and gastric carcinogenesis.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15921
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53010:Gastroenterology-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Shimizu Takahiro 京都大学, 医学研究科, 助教 (70812684)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 腸上皮化生 / ヘリコバクター・ピロリ菌 / DNAメチル化異常

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Gastric cancer develops in chronic gastritis mucosa related with Helicobacter pylori infection. In this study, we performed DNA methylation analysis in pure gastric glands. Comprehensive DNA methylation analysis revealed that gastric glands with intestinal metaplasia had more aberrant DNA methylation compared with those without intestinal metaplasia. The investigation of methylated genes specifically shown in intestinal metaplasia and non-intestinal metaplasia suggested that the accumulation of aberrant DNA methylation in intestinal metaplasia could be involved in the formation of field cancerization in the stomach.

Free Research Field

胃癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

胃癌の多くは、ヘリコバクター・ピロリ菌の感染による慢性胃炎粘膜より発生する。以前から、慢性胃炎粘膜にはDNAメチル化異常が多く存在していることが報告されていたが、発癌との直接的関与については不明な点が多かった。本研究では、慢性胃炎粘膜においてDNAメチル化異常が多く含まれている腺管群を明らかにし、発癌との関与を解析した。胃発癌メカニズムの解明だけでなく、胃癌のリスク腺管を考える上でも重要な科学的根拠と考える。