Activating hypoxia response for improving functions of renal EPO producing cells.

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860623
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Kidney internal medicine
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Souma Tomokazu 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 非常勤講師 (20722531)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 腎性貧血 / 低酸素応答 / 腎エリスロポエチン産生細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research project aimed to understand how renal erythropoietin-producing cells (REPCs) lose their physiological function and gain pathological characteristics under kidney injury. We used multiple mouse models and elucidated that the hypoxia signaling cascade is attenuated in inflammatory milieu in injured kidneys. We further found that activating hypoxia signaling by means of inhibiting HIF proryl hydroxylase, a master negative regulatory system of hypoxia responses, restored REPCs physiological function in hypoxic injured kidneys. Our research provides an explanation how PHD inhibitors, which are clinical trial for renal anemia, might work in injured kidneys in CKD patients.

Free Research Field

腎臓内科学