Development of novel antibody drugs for inhibition of autoimmune diseases, based on integrin splicing variant functions

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24590072
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biological pharmacy
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: KON Shigeyuki 北海道大学, 薬学研究科(研究院), 准教授 (90344499)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: インテグリン / スプライシングバリアント / 細胞接着 / 酵素阻害剤 / 自己免疫疾患

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We reported that SFα9, α9 integrin splicing variant, is a functional modulator of wild-type α9 integrin. We identified a inhibitor, which inhibits α9 integrin function, by exploring SFα9-binding molecules. The inhibitor protects mice from various autoimmune diseases.
We identified α4 integrin splicing variant, α4B. Although cells expressing α4B only have little binding to ligands of wild-type, cells co-expressing wild-type α4 integrin and α4B exhibits inhibition of wild-type α4 integrin-dependent cell adhesion. Thus, α4B is a endogenous inhibitory molecule for wild-type α4 integrin.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学