Exploration of epigenetic abnormality of diabetic kidney disease for novel therapy

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25461230
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Kidney internal medicine
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Marumo Takeshi 東京大学, 先端科学技術研究センター, 特任准教授 (70265817)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): KAWARAZAKI Wakako 東京大学, 先端科学技術研究センター 臨床エピジェネティクス講座, 特任研究員 (50424594)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 糖尿病性腎症 / エピジェネティクス / DNAメチル化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Diabetic kidney disease is the leading cause of end stage renal disease in Japan. Recent evidence indicates that abnormalities in epigenetics play a causative role in the development of chronic diseases. Epigenetics is a switching mechanism involved in regulation of gene expression by DNA methylation and histone modifications. In the present study, we investigated whether diabetes induces aberrant DNA methylation in the kidney.
We found that abnormalities in DNA methylation underlie persistent expression of genes involved in diabetic kidney disease, such as angiotensinogen and HGF receptor in diabetic mice. Because aberrant DNA methylation was resistant to glycemic therapy, epigenetic abnormalities are likely to maintain persistent expression of genes involved in injury and/or decrease in protective factors. Therapy against abnormal epigenetic modifications may be beneficial for the development of diabetic kidney disease.

Free Research Field

腎臓内科