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Investigation into the Mechanisms and Regulation of Stress-Induced Exacerbation in Atopic Dermatitis

Research Project

Project/Area Number 21K08354
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Section一般
Review Section Basic Section 53050:Dermatology-related
Research InstitutionIwate Medical University

Principal Investigator

Amano Hiroo  岩手医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (70302487)

Project Period (FY) 2021-04-01 – 2025-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2024)
Budget Amount *help
¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000)
Fiscal Year 2023: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000)
Fiscal Year 2022: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000)
Fiscal Year 2021: ¥2,080,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000)
Keywordsアトピー性皮膚炎 / ストレス / NK細胞 / 肥満細胞 / かゆみ / 痒み
Outline of Research at the Start

ストレスによるアトピー性皮膚炎 (AD)の痒み・湿疹病変の増悪に関して、病態の悪化の機序と制御を目的に研究を行う。私たちはこれまでに、自然免疫、獲得免疫で重要な役割を担うNK細胞が、ADの湿疹病変形成に関与していることを報告してきた。本研究では、ストレスによりADの痒み・湿疹病変が増悪する際の炎症細胞、特にNK細胞と肥満細胞の関与、さらに交感神経、視床下部-下垂体-副腎皮質系の作用について研究を行い、ADの痒みと湿疹病変の制御に繋げることを目的とする。

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In NC/Nga mice, a well-established animal model for atopic dermatitis (AD), no eczematous lesions are observed under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions. However, when housed under conventional conditions rich in environmental allergens such as dust mites, these mice develop spontaneous eczematous skin lesions. Through a series of studies, it has been demonstrated that water avoidance stress induces AD-like eczematous lesions in NC/Nga mice accompanied by scratching behavior. Histological analyses have revealed an increase in lymphocytes and mast cells within the affected skin, whereas a notable reduction in natural killer (NK) cells has also been observed. Moreover, adoptive transfer of NK cells into mice exhibiting eczematous lesions resulted in significant improvement along with a concomitant decrease in infiltrating lymphocytes and mast cells. Similar alterations were also observed in peripheral blood, suggesting a systemic immunological component.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

アトピー性皮膚炎の臨床では、IL-4,13,31に対する抗体製剤が効果があることがすでに明らかになっている。一方で、今回の研究でNK細胞がアトピー性皮膚炎の病態に関与していることが明確になった。改善の作用機序として、IL-4,13が関係している可能性もあるが、免疫細胞を標的としたアトピー性皮膚炎治療はいまだなく、さらに有用な治療となる可能性もある。NK細胞によるアトピー性皮膚炎改善に際して、サイトカインの状況を調べることでNK細胞を標的とした治療戦略が可能かを明らかにしていくことは学術的、社会的に大きな意義があると考える。

Report

(5 results)
  • 2024 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2023 Research-status Report
  • 2022 Research-status Report
  • 2021 Research-status Report

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Published: 2021-04-28   Modified: 2026-01-16  

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