A novel strategy for managing plasam phosphate; osteocytes network as a molecular target

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26461253
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Kidney internal medicine
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: TATSUMI Sawako 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(医学系), 助教 (80420545)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: リン / 骨細胞 / 骨細胞ネットワーク / 慢性腎臓病

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Hyperphosphatemia is linked to vasclular calcification with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in haemodialysis patients. In CKD patients, plasma phosphate (Pi) control is essential for improving life prognosi.
Osteocytes are known as endocrine cells because osteocytes secrete FGF23 (Fibroblast growth factor 23) as phosphate regulating factors. Osteocytes make osteocytic canaliculi-osteocyte network through dendrites in osteocytic canaliculi to each other. We hypothesized that the osteocyte network controls plasma Pi levels and dietary Pi sensing. The osteocyte network disrupted mice did not respond loading high Pi diet. In osteocyte network disrupted mice, renal fibrosis and ectopic calcification were observed. Thus, we suggested that osteocyte is a sensory cell for dietary Pi loading. We show that maintenance of the number of osteocyte leads to preveting CKD progression and ectopic calcification.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学