The role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670757
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Emergency medicine
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: HOMMA SATOSHI 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 教授 (00302422)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): SAKAI Satoshi 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 講師 (30282362) ; TAJIRI Kazuko 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 助教 (60633914) ; KIMURA Taizo 筑波大学附属病院, 病院講師 (00636508)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 心筋梗塞 / 好中球細胞外トラップ / 好中球エラスターゼ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neutrophil forms neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), in which bacteria is effectively trapped and eliminated. The role of NETs in the pathogenesis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a representative of non-infectious inflammation, is unclear. We analyzed the inflammatory responses induced by AMI in neutrophil elastase gene knockout mice (KO), in which NETs formation is impaired. KO showed the reduced death due to cardiac rupture and higher survival. The profile of cytokine alteration showed the anti-inflammatory responses. Therefore, the presence of NETs is suggested to be pro-inflammatory and to promote the pathogenesis of AMI.

Free Research Field

循環器内科学