A novel anti-inflammatory strategy by targeting endothelial cell-specific receptor, Robo4

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670056
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Drug development chemistry
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: OKADA Yoshiaki 大阪大学, 薬学研究科(研究院), 准教授 (50444500)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): OBIKA Satoshi 大阪大学, 大学院薬学研究科, 教授 (80243252) ; MUKAI Yohei 独立行政法人医薬基盤研究所, サブプロジェクトリーダー (60444501)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 血管内皮細胞 / 敗血症 / 炎症 / Robo4

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Roundabout 4 (Robo4) is a transmembrane receptor that is specifically expressed in endothelial cells. We have preciously found that Robo4-deficient mice in sepsis showed improved survival rates after LPS injection. However, the mechanism was not well understood. In this study, we found that the depletion of Robo4 inhibits production of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, from endothelial cells and alleviates the sepsis phenotype. To establish a new anti-sepsis strategy by targeting Robo4, we generated antibodies against Robo4 and anti-sense oligonucleotides that inhibit expression of Robo4.

Free Research Field

血管生物学