Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26460405
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Pathological medical chemistry
• Research Institution: Himeji Dokkyo University
• Principal Investigator: Tohyama Yumi 姫路獨協大学, 薬学部, 教授 (70362770)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): TABATA Hiroyuki 姫路獨協大学, 薬学部, 講師 (70378785) ; MORITA Hiroyuki 姫路獨協大学, 薬学部, 助手 (90648594)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 好中球

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation, human neutrophils were treated with PMA and induced to form NETs in vitro. As a result of live cell imaging, the process was classified into 3 stages: stage 1: most of the cells lost lobulated nuclei; stage 2: chromatin decondensation occurred like a spherical form; stage 3: decondensed chromatin became diffuse and spread like a cloud showing NET-like structures. Next, comprehensive mass spectrometric protein analysis using iTRAQ-labeling was performed using the lysates from each stage and we found about 80 peptides (fragments of 15 proteins) containing post translational modification, which were markedly increased according to NETs formation. Among them, we focus on two proteins and are studying the effects of gene defect of these proteins in NETs formation.

Free Research Field

生化学　免疫学