Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a life-threatening condition with high mortality rates. While earlier research linked gut fungi translocation to SAP, the specific mechanism was unclear. Japanese researchers have now pinpointed the protein "LRRK2" as the key trigger for SAP induced by gut fungi.
Now, Japanese researchers have discovered a key regulatory mechanism involved in C9orf72-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/ frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (C9-ALS/FTD). Their findings indicate that in C9-ALS/FTD, the human FUS protein can interact with RNAs containing GGGGCC repeats and suppress their translation by altering their three-dimensional structures, inhibiting neurodegeneration.
Now, a global consortium of researchers has pinpointed that non-inheritable mutations within the cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) gene of these "aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs)" inhibit communication between aldosterone-producing cells, resulting in hormonal overproduction. These findings provide a potent new target for the development of drugs to treat hypertension caused by APAs.
Advanced pancreatic cancer is typically treated with chemotherapeutic drugs like gemcitabine. However, resistance to these drugs over time may result in treatment failure. Researchers from Japan have now revealed the genetic mechanisms behind this drug resistance.
Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is usually treated with steroids, which may cause severe side effects. Now, researchers from Japan suggest that the selective activation of the transcription factor - aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) - could inhibit the development of AIP with minimal side effects.
- Conducted metabolomic analysis on human hepatoma cell lines which were exposed to mitochondrial toxic compounds - Utilized bioinformatics to identify the indicator molecule which determines the mechanism of mitochondrial toxicity - These results could be applied to a new toxicity assessment method in the drug development field
- The team discovered that type I interferon, one of the inflammatory cytokines, is involved in exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease. - An enzyme that inhibits the activity of type I interferons has been identified as a novel therapeutic target for inflammatory bowel disease. - This research offers insights into the development of new treatments for intractable inflammatory bowel disease.
Elucidated the mechanism of immune cell activation by extracellular vesicles of lactobacillus Identified outer surface proteins of extracellular vesicles that affect immune activation The findings of this research will lead to the development of technologies to improve intestinal environment and to maintain healthy physical functions.
Discovered that intestinal barrier dysfunction exacerbates autoimmune pancreatitis The pathogenic bacterium of autoimmune pancreatitis, an intractable disease, was identified as an intestinal bacterium, Staphylococcus sciuri Suggested that maintenance of a healthy intestinal environment may lead to the prevention and treatment of autoimmune pancreatitis
- Analyzing DNA data of approximately 10,000 cases, the team developed a new program to classify solid tumors into eight genomic subtypes - Demonstrated that these eight classifications were significantly associated with ICI efficacy - The results of this study will help predict response to ICI therapy on solid tumors and improve prognosis
- The first research focused on the usage of masks and bacteria and fungi attached to the face-side and the outer-side of masks -Recommended avoiding repeated use of masks (no more than one day) for people with weak immunity since potentially harmful microbes were found -This study will provide new insights into the appropriate and hygienic use of face masks under the COVID-19 pandemic.
Found that GT-7 induces apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells with specific gene mutations.
CMG treatment for a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS) suppressed motor paralysis clinically and inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) microscopically. CMG treatment altered the gut flora in the intestine and feces. Increases in several bacterial species correlated with the disease severity.
Discovered that Galactosyl-β1, 4-L-Rhamnose (oligosaccharide) selectively promotes the growth of health-promoting bacteria. Identified the gene required for the growth promotion specific to bifidobacteria, utilizing oligosaccharide.
Kindai University Kansai International Airport Clinic and Kawasaki will launch a PCR test center at Kansai International Airport on September 22, 2021.
- Predicted effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) using a scoring system related to anti-cancer immune conditions
Verified the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (Opdivo) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) and mild to moderate impairment of liver function (Child-Pugh B class). Kindai University School of Medicine led the international collaborative research for aHCC patients with liver dysfunction for which no treatment options were available before.
- Measures serum core-type fucosylated PSA, which was not possible in the past, with high speed and high sensitivity - Verified that fucosylated PSA index significantly rises in a man with high-risk prostate cancer - Adjunct in the conventional PSA test, high-risk prostate cancer can be effectively detected
- Discovered for the first time in the world that Stress Granules (SGs) have the role of a "safety brake" that regulates signaling pathways that control cell proliferation, such as Protein Kinase C (PKC) and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK). - SGs have the function of preventing excessive activation of MAPK by incorporating PKC.
Kindai University’s Faculty of Medicine has, in a world first, shown the efficacy of cancer-specific vaccine therapy as a postoperative adjuvant therapy in a phase 2 clinical trial. Administration of cancer-specific vaccine therapy roughly doubled the 5-year survival rate of advanced esophageal cancer patients. Vaccine therapy amplifying CTL2 is expected to help validate peptide vaccine therapy.
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