Critical roles of epigenetic modifications in conjunctival fibroblasts on the development of severe ocular allergic conjunctivitis

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25871178
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Ophthalmology; Collagenous pathology/Allergology
• Research Institution: National Research Institute for Child Health and Development
• Principal Investigator: OKADA NAOKO 独立行政法人国立成育医療研究センター, その他部局等, 研究員 (50636165)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: アレルギー / 線維芽細胞 / エピジェネティクス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis are severe, chronically relapsing, ocular inflammatory diseases that cause intense inflammation and fibrosis in conjunctiva. However, the mechanism increasing the severity of these diseases remains unknown. We previously found that IFN-γhad distinct roles that might induce epigenetic modifications in conjunctival fibroblasts which lead to an overproduction of CCL11. In this study, we attempted to clarify phenotypic characteristics of conjunctival fibroblasts derived from severe allergic conjunctivitis that was thought to accompany by epigenetic modifications, and to identify possible molecules that regulated epigenetic profile at the site of chronic inflammation in ocular allergic conjunctivitis.

Free Research Field

アレルギー