Possible involvement of mutans streptococci in development of pediatric kidney disease

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K15754
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Orthodontics/Pediatric dentistry
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Kazuhiko Nakano 大阪大学, 歯学研究科, 教授 (00379083)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: Streptococcus mutans / IgA腎症 / コラーゲン結合タンパク / う蝕 / ラット

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We recently reported frequent identification of Streptococcus mutans strains with a collagen-binding protein (Cnm protein) on their cell surface in examinations of specimens obtained from the oral cavity of IgA nephritis (IgAN) patients. In the present study, analyses of detailed clinical findings of patients with IgAN revealed significantly increased dental caries scores and rates of proteinuria detection. In addition, histopathological analyses of kidneys extirpated from rats following inoculation with Cnm-positive S. mutans strains into the oral cavity, which induced severe dental caries, demonstrated IgAN-like findings. Taken together, our results indicate that Cnm-positive S. mutans strains are possibly associated with the pathogenesis of IgAN.

Free Research Field

小児歯科学