Elucidation of the mechanisms of obesity-induced asthma

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24689072
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Surgical dentistry
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: MIZUTA Kentaro 東北大学, 歯学研究科(研究院), 准教授 (40455796)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 気管支喘息 / 肥満 / 遊離脂肪酸 / 受容体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Obesity is one of the major risk factors for asthma. Previous studies have demonstrated that free fatty acid levels are elevated in the plasma of obese individuals. Recently, medium- and long-chain free fatty acids have been reported to act as endogenous ligands for the free fatty acid receptors (FFAR1 and FFAR4). We investigated whether FFAR1 and FFAR4 are expressed on airway smooth muscle, modulate airway smooth muscle tone, and induce airway remodeling. We detected the expression of FFAR1 and FFAR4 in airway smooth muscle. The long-chain free fatty acids potentiated airway contraction and remodeling.
These results suggest that functional FFAR1 and FFAR4 are expressed in airway smooth muscle. These free fatty acid sensors expressed on airway smooth muscle could be an important regulator of airway smooth muscle tone and airway remodeling.

Free Research Field

歯科麻酔学