Development of a new anti-ocular inflammation therapy using omega-3 fatty acids that targets dendritic cells

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K16953
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: Yamaguchi University
• Principal Investigator: Uchi Shohei 山口大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (20939277)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ぶどう膜炎 / 樹状細胞 / 免疫細胞移植 / オメガ３脂肪酸 / サイトカイン / ケモカイン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Uveitis is an intraocular inflammation caused by an excessive immune response. Although steroids are used to treat the acute phase of the disease, long-term use is difficult due to their many side effects. The researchers focused on omega-3 fatty acids and investigated their anti-inflammatory effects. They showed that omega-3 fatty acids suppress the Th1/Th17 cell lineage and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in a mouse uveitis model, especially via dendritic cells (DC) among antigen-presenting cells (APC). Furthermore, we showed that DCs isolated from the spleens of mice fed omega-3 fatty acids can suppress intraocular inflammation and systemic inflammatory cytokines.

Free Research Field

眼炎症

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果は、細胞免疫移植がぶどう膜炎治療の新たな可能性を示すものである。しかしながら、細胞免疫移植には費用や安全性の問題がある。また、オメガ3脂肪酸を用いた薬剤の治療応用には、保存性や酸化、全身投与の問題がある。