Development of knockout mice using genome editing technology to analyze epigenetic enzymes associated with atherosclerosis in vivo.

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26670397
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Cardiovascular medicine
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Kanki Yasuharu 東京大学, アイソトープ総合センター, 助教 (00534869)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 動脈硬化 / ゲノム編集 / エピジェネティクス / 非翻訳RNA / ヒストン修飾酵素

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this report, our aim is to identify a novel microRNA associated with atherosclerosis and produce knockout mice using a new technology, Crispr-Cas9 system. On this purpose, we carried out microarray analysis using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) stimulated by TNF-a. As a result, we determined a novel microRNA, which is responsible for monocyte adhesion. In addition, the target genes of this microRNA were investigated by RNA immunoprecipitation assay. We clarified two histone modification enzymes had relation to atherosclerosis in vitro for the first time.
Moreover, we established this enzyme knockout mice using Crispr-Cas9 system in order to analyze the development of atherosclerosis in vivo.

Free Research Field

エピジェネティクス