Pathophysiological role of macrophages and leptin in the development of non-alcoholic steatohepaititis

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860692
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Metabolomics
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Itoh Michiko 東京医科歯科大学, 医歯(薬)学総合研究科, 特別研究員 (00581860)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 慢性炎症 / マクロファージ / crown-like structure

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Chronic inflammation is one of the most characteristic features of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and macrophages play pivotal role in the process of inflammation. In this study, we focused on the pathophysiological role of "hepatic crown-like structure (hCLS)", where macrophages surround dead hepatocytes in the novel rodent model of human NASH using melanocortin 4 receptor deficient mice. Our data provide evidence that hCLS-constitiuing macrophages are the source of fibrogenic factors, and promote inflammation and fibrosis in the development of NASH.

Free Research Field

代謝学