Study for mechanism of fat growth in lymphedema and development of new treatment methods

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K16918
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56070:Plastic and reconstructive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Jichi Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Fujiki Masahide 自治医科大学, 医学部, 客員研究員 (50532066)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: リンパ浮腫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Human lymphedema adipose tissue and its SVF were colcted, and confirmed that adipose stem cells were reduced in the SVF of lymphedema adipose tissue. In addition, we separated adipocytes and SVF from lymphedema adipose tissue and normal adipose tissue derived from the same donor using laser microdissection, collected total RNA from each, and examined differences in gene expression. In lymphedema adipose tissue and normal adipose tissue, gene expression related to adipogenesis were changed in adipocytes and SVF, respectively.
It was suggested that fat increase in lymphedema occurs through interaction of adipocytes and SVF.

Free Research Field

リンパ浮腫

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

リンパ浮腫の治療法は未だに確立しておらず、保存的治療、外科的治療ともに効果は限定的である。本研究により、リンパ浮腫における脂肪組織の増大には脂肪細胞とSVFの相互採用によって起きていることが示唆された。そのため、脂肪細胞とSVFの細胞間シグナルの解明を行うことによりリンパ浮腫由来の脂肪組織が増大する機序の解明につながると考えられた。リンパ浮腫由来の脂肪組織が増大する機序の解明は革新的な治療法の開発につながると考える。