Cellular interaction in liver inflammation and regeneration

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26253023
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Experimental pathology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Miyajima Atsushi 東京大学, 分子細胞生物学研究所, 教授 (50135232)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): TANAKA Minoru 国立国際医療研究センター, 室長 (80321909) ; ITOH Tohru 東京大学, 分子細胞生物学研究所, 准教授 (50396917) ; ENOMOTO Yutaka 東京大学, 分子細胞生物学研究所, 助教 (20608210) ; KIDO Taketomo 東京大学, 分子細胞生物学研究所, 助教 (00401034) ; SAIJOU Eiko 東京大学, 分子細胞生物学研究所, 技術専門員 (60376647)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 炎症 / 再生 / 線維化 / サイトカイン / イメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study was aimed at elucidating the cellular basis of liver inflammation and regeneration. Ductular reaction in chronic liver injuries is characterized by amplification of duct like cells. We developed novel methods for imaging and cell fact tracking to reveal the mode of remodeling of bile ducts. Proliferating duct cells were found to be localized at the periphery of the ducts and their fate was stochastically determined. We found that expression of Oncostatin M in the liver induces fibrosis without inflammation and using this system we revealed cellular interactions among liver cells, which lead to fibrosis. Over expression of IL-4 in the liver induces a distinct class of NK cells that possess strong cytotoxic activity against tumor cells.

Free Research Field

分子細胞生物学