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Development of Therapeutic Agents and Biomarkers for Stress-induced Diseases
Molecular psychoneuroimmunology to understand the molecular mechanism of “disease starts in the mind”
Chronic stress has become a widespread problem in our society as it may lead to sudden death or other serious problems due to overwork or insomnia. We have clarified the molecular mechanism by which chronic stress induces organ damage and sudden death in mice through the activation of specific neural circuits. This system can be used to search for therapeutic targets for stress-induced diseases.
Research
We are studying the link between stress and disease. Recently, when autoreactive T cells against central nervous system antigens were transferred to mice that had been subjected to chronic stress, the mice suddenly died. The cause of death was heart failure due to hemorrhage in the stomach and duodenum, as found with humans. Stress-specific activation of neural circuits induced microinflammation in the brain, where transferred T cells, etc. were accumulated in specific blood vessels, and a new neural circuit activated by this triggered the gastrointestinal disorder and heart failure. There have been no animal model of stress in which the molecular mechanism has been elucidated, and this model is useful for screening of new drugs for stress-induced diseases. Using this system, we also identified a group of molecules of which the expression is upregulated in specific blood vessels in the brain during stress, and antibodies against these molecules suppressed sudden death. We are also currently identifying marker candidates for autoreactive T cells in humans.
Masaaki Murakami Professor -
Reduce Stress on the Liver to Prevent Liver Disease!
To prevent lifestyle-related diseases of the liver (e.g., fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis)
We are analyzing the molecular mechanisms of organ stress, mainly in the liver, for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases. Using our unique optical imaging technology, we are conducting dynamic analysis to explore functional foods and develop new drugs from a new perspective.
Research
In recent years, the number of lifestyle-related diseases such as fatty liver and steatohepatitis has been steadily increasing. These conditions are generally unrecognized and difficult to prevent due to their slow progression and lack of subjective symptoms. However, since these diseases are known to progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, prevention and suppression of progression are important.
We are studying the molecular mechanisms of the progression of hepatic steatosis, injury, hepatitis, and liver fibrosis caused by various kinds of stress. At the same time, we are searching for functional foods and therapeutic agents to inhibit the progression of disease. Furthermore, we are attempting to conduct unique pathological analysis and construct an in vitro screening system for functional foods and drugs by applying optical imaging technology.Michitaka Ozaki ProfessorMD, PhD
