Non-receptor type, proline-rich protein tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) is a possible therapeutic target for Kawasaki disease

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26461616
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Pediatrics
• Research Institution: Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Nakamura Akihiro 京都府立医科大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 博士研究員 (50313854)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 川崎病 / 動物モデル / protein kinase

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Kawasaki disease is a pediatric vasculitis whose etiology remains elusive. On the basis of experimental study with mouse model for KD, we report here that non-receptor type proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (pyk2) might be involved in the pathogenesis of KD. Pk2-KO mice were resistant to candida albicans extract (CAWS)-induced KD-like vasculitis. Two angiostatic chemokines, CXCL9 and 10 were increased in response to stimulation with CAWS. Considering that neo-angiogenesis is associated with KD-like murine vascuitis, sustained increase of these chemokines might be involved in resistance of pyk2 KO-mice to the vasculitis. Overall, pyk2 might be a promising therapeutic target for KD.

Free Research Field

小児科学