Molecular mechanism of Neuromedin U system on obesity related diseases.

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24591361
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Endocrinology
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: REIKO Hanada 京都大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (00343707)
• Research Collaborator: KANGAWA Kenji ; MIYAZATO Mikiya ; MORI Kenji ; HINO Jun ; HANADA Toshikatsu ; PENNINGER Josef
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 神経ペプチド / 肥満 / 脂肪肝 / NAFLD/NASH

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neuromedin U (NMU)　is a neuronal peptide with multiple physiological functions of regulating appetite, inflammation and so on. NMU has two specific receptors, NMU R1 and NMU R2, and NMU R1 is mainly expressed in the peripheral tissues. With that background, we have attempted to verify the participation of NMU system in obesity related inflammation disease such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH). Normally, it is not detected NMU mRNA in liver tissue without any pathological change, however, NMU R1 and NMU expression levels are markedly increased in NASH liver in mice. Not only in mice but also in human, NMU immunoreactive cells are detected in liver tissue of NASH patients. Furthermore, wild type mice with NMU overexpressing in the liver have worsened NASH pathogenesis. Based on these data, NMU system has important roles in NASH pathophysiology.

Free Research Field

内分泌学