Study of intractable pain in Sjogren's syndrome as a target for mechanically-gated ion channel Piezo2.

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K11766
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Surgical dentistry
• Research Institution: Nihon University
• Principal Investigator: OKADA-OGAWA Akiko 日本大学, 歯学部, 准教授 (10434078)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 岩田 幸一 日本大学, 歯学部, 教授 (60160115) ; 今村 佳樹 日本大学, 歯学部, 教授 (90176503)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: シェーグレン症候群 / 口腔乾燥 / 舌痛 / Piezo2チャネル / 三叉神経節 / ATP / P2X2/3受容体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Thymectomy on day 3 after birth was performed in male NFS/sld mice to produce Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) model. SS is an autoimmune disease affecting the lacrimal and salivary glands and show severe dry mouth and burning pain in the mouth. We aimed to investigate the mechanism of tongue pain induced by dry mouth. In the result, tongue tissue was injured by severe dry mouth that was induced by decrease of salivary secretion in SS model. ATP might be leaked out from injured tissue and stimulate Piezo2 channel and P2X2/3 receptor. Besides, TRPV4 might be also involved in the mechanism of tongue pain induced by dry mouth. It is hoped that more research will be conducted in relation of mechanosensitive channel and tongue hyperalgesia induced by dry mouth in Sjogren’s syndrome.

Free Research Field

神経生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では，強い口腔乾燥が舌組織を傷害し，機械受容チャネルであるPiezo2やP2X2/3受容体などが刺激され，舌の痛覚過敏を引き起こす可能性を示した。この結果は，これまで解明できなかった，シェーグレン症候群を含む口腔乾燥による難治性の舌痛に苦しんでいる患者に奏功する鎮痛剤の開発につながる可能性がある。