The search for polycyclic aromatic compounds related to AhR-mediated exacerbation activity of allergy and the trace for their mode of action

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K21278
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Hygiene and public health; Environmental risk control and evaluation
• Research Institution: University of Shizuoka
• Principal Investigator: Misaki Kentaro 静岡県立大学, 看護学部, 助教 (40468591)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 多環芳香族化合物 / アレルギー / 上皮細胞 / 免疫応答

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Aiming to elucidate polycyclic aromatic compounds contributing to the exacerbation activity of allergy in atmospheric pollutants and their mechanisms, IL-8 generation was examined in the co-exposure of each chemical with mite antigen to human alveolar epithelial cells for 34 compounds in total. The significant amplifying actions in IL-8 generation induced by mite antigen were found for 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, 5,12-naphthacenequinone and 3-nitrobenzanthrone, while the significant suppression action in IL-8 generation were observed for benzopyrenone. The chemical structures of these active compounds implicate the participation of reactive oxygen species rather than AhR in these actions. The exposure effect of compounds on cytokine generation in T lymphocytes has been also considered, however it became a future issue including assay system stability.

Free Research Field

環境毒性学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで DEP や大気浮遊粒子中のどの成分がアレルギー増悪効果により強く影響を与えるのか評価するような知見はほとんど明らかにされていない。今回は肺上皮細胞に対する実験を中心に実施したが、化学構造からアレルギー増悪物質に対する酸化ストレスなどの活性経路が予想され、生体防御システム解明への一助となりうる。さらに肺上皮細胞および他の免疫細胞に対する知見を蓄積することによって、国内外における大気環境汚染に伴うアレルギー疾患発症リスクの予測と低減に将来的につながっていくものと考える。