Analysis of lung injury models by using human MUC1 transgenic mice.

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25461191
• 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: Kochi University
• Principal Investigator: KUBOTA TETSUYA 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系臨床医学部門, 准教授 (30274377)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): YOKOYAMA Akihito 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系臨床医学部門, 教授 (30191513) ; OHNISHI Hiroshi 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系臨床医学部門, 助教 (90553876)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): SAKAI Mizu 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系臨床医学部門, 助教 (40403886) ; KAWASE Shigeo 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系臨床医学部門, 助教 (80642058) ; MIYAMOTO Shintaro 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系臨床医学部門, 助教 (30633995)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: KL-6 / MUC1 / 間質性肺炎 / 肺障害 / 動物モデル / バイオマーカー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

KL-6, an epitope of MUC1 expressed mainly on type II pneumocytes in humans, is a sensitive marker for interstitial pneumonia. However, an in vivo model for KL-6 has not been established because no KL-6 epitope is expressed in animals other than humans and apes. To investigate whether KL-6 is detectable in human MUC1 transgenic mice and whether KL-6 level reflects the degree of lung injury, we examined levels of KL-6 and other biomarkers in a variety of lung injury models. KL-6 was expressed on type II pneumocytes and bronchiolar epithelial cells in naive hMUC1-Tg mice. Serum KL-6 levels in these mice were comparable to those in humans, and KL-6 levels in BALF were significantly higher than those in sera. Levels of KL-6 dramatically changed depending on the variety and severity of lung injuries, suggesting its function as a biomarker in hMUC1-Tg mice. KL-6 behaved differently from other biomarkers. This hMUC1-Tg mouse can be used for assessment of KL-6 in vivo during lung injury.

Free Research Field

呼吸器内科学