Investigation of the autoimmune diseases pathogenesis through microRNA exhaustive analysis

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860265
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Experimental pathology
• Research Institution: Juntendo University
• Principal Investigator: Hayakawa Kunihiro 順天堂大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 博士研究員 (00573007)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: miRNA / 関節リウマチ / 全身性エリテマトーデス / 炎症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus are typical autoimmune disease. In this study, we revealed the microRNA (miRNA) is associated with these disease activities. In the study targeting of RA, we first performed miRNA array analysis of plasma from patient with before and after treatment of abatacept, and identified the fluctuated miRNA between before and after treatment. Next, we intended to investigate the influence of these miRNAs in RA disease activity, and tested to confirm inflammatory responses using RA synoviocyte. Interestingly, up-regulated miRNAs by treatment have anti-inflammatory effect. Conversely, down-regulated miRNAs showed effect to increase inflammation. That is, plasma miRNA from high activity RA patients may contribute the sustention of disease activity, and plasma miRNA in low activity RA patients may conversely assist the suppression of inflammation.

Free Research Field

免疫学、分子生物学、リウマチ・膠原病内科学