Identification of novel therapeutic targets for arteriosclerosis

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H05302
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Cardiovascular medicine
• Research Institution: Jichi Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Kuro-o Makoto 自治医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (10716864)
• Research Collaborator: KOBAYASI syuzo ; KARIO kazuomi
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 動脈硬化 / CPP / リン / カルシウム / Fetus-A

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Two types of arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis and vascular calcification, have distinct pathophysiology. It has been well established that atherosclerosis is caused by cholesterol and that statins that lowers serum cholesterol levels have been widely used as therapeutic reagents for atherosclerosis. In contrast, neither therapeutic targets nor effective reagents have not been identified for vascular calcification. Recent studies have demonstrated that the severity of vascular calcification are correlated with serum levels of calciprotein particles (CPP), colloidal particles containing calcium-phosphate precipitates. In this study, we have identified a compound that potentially alters physical properties of CPP to reduce the ability of CPP to induce cell damage and calcification. Using an animal model for vascular calcification, we have succeeded in showing that administration of the compound is effective in the treatment of vascular calcification.

Free Research Field

抗加齢医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の学術的意義は、ある特定の物性・組成を持つリン酸カルシウムのコロイド粒子CPPが血管石灰化の原因物質となり得ることを示したことである。本研究の社会的意義は、有効な治療薬が存在しない血管石灰化に対し、他の疾患の治療薬として既に広く使われている薬剤Xが有効である可能性を示したことである。したがって、薬剤Xが血管石灰化の治療薬として有効か検証する臨床治験はドラッグ・リポジショニングになるので、臨床応用へのロードマップは大幅に短縮・コストダウンできるものと期待される。