Role of angiopoietin-like protein in the pathogenesis of interstitial pneumoniae

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24591172
• 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: Kagoshima University
• Principal Investigator: Watanabe Masaki 鹿児島大学, 医歯(薬)学総合研究科, 特任助教 (90398298)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): INOUE Hiromasa 鹿児島大学, 医歯学域医学系・呼吸器内科学, 教授 (30264039)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): OIKE Yuichi 熊本大学, 大学院生命科学研究部・分子遺伝学分野 (90312321)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: アンジオポエチン様因子 / 間質性肺炎

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) is a chronic inflammatory mediator associated with various pathologies. However, its role in lung has not been fully described. To clarify a potential function in lung, we first monitored ANGPTL2 protein expression in mouse lung tissue. We observed ANGPTL2 expression in both alveolar epithelial type I and type II cells and in alveolar　macrophages. Next, we generated a bleomycin-induced interstitial pneumoniae (IP) model in wild-type or ANGPTL2 knockout mice to assess ANGPTL2 function in IP. ANGPTL2 knockout mice developed more severe IP than wild-type mice after bleomycin treatment. Next, we examined serum ANGPTL2 levels in IP patients. Serum ANGPTL2 levels were significantly elevated in IP patients compared to healthy controls. From these results, we conclude that ANGPTL2 deficiency enhances IP, suggesting that ANGPTL2 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of IP.

Free Research Field

呼吸器内科学