Investigation of the immunological function of the NASH-inducing transplanted NKT, and drug discovery

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670022
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biological pharmacy
• Research Institution: University of Toyama
• Principal Investigator: KOIZUMI Keiichi 富山大学, 和漢医薬学総合研究所, 准教授 (10334715)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ケモカイン / CXCL16 / NASH / NKT

Outline of Final Research Achievements

NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) is a serious disease, which goes to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, NASH progression mechanism is still unknown. Recently, we interestingly found a NASH-inducing transplanted NKT into the recipient of NKT cell-deficient mice. The purpose of this study is following two; 1.Analysis of the immunological function of the NKT cells. 2.Development of the new drug against NASH. As a result of our investigation, initial condition of NASH was observed by taking of CDAA diet for 2-weeks in CXCL16-deficient mice. Furthermore, it was clear that IFN-γ and TNF-α produced from hepatic mononuclear cells by the NKT cells is a effector molecule for lipid accumulation in liver cells.

Free Research Field

代謝学