Investigation of the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by the inhibition of mTOR-related cell prolifelative signal

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24591127
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Respiratory organ internal medicine
• Research Institution: Shinshu University
• Principal Investigator: YASUO Masanori 信州大学, 学術研究院医学系(医学部附属病院), 講師 (20402117)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): HANAOKA Masayuki 信州大学, 学術研究院医学系, 教授 (20334899)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 肺気腫 / 動物モデル / アポトーシス / mTOR阻害薬

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The objective of this is study was to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It has been reported that the apoptosis of lung structure maintenance cells causes emphysema.
Our hypothesis was mTOR inhibition may reduce lung cell proliferation and induce emphysematous changes in rat lung. We administered sirolimus, a mTOR inhibitor, to rat and investigated the rat lungs. Sirolimus induced rat lungs revealed that alveolar enlargement and lung cell apoptosis due to the reduction of VEGF and phosphor Akt expression.
The mTOR signal may important to maintain the lung structure cell maintenance.

Free Research Field

慢性閉塞性肺疾患（COPD)、喘息、呼吸器内視鏡