Elucidation of the mechanisms by which intestinal microbiota control IgA synthesis in the large intestine and their application to immunomodulating functional foods

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K15277
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Food science
• Research Institution: Nihon University
• Principal Investigator: TSUDA Masato 日本大学, 生物資源科学部, 講師 (50525681)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 腸内細菌 / 腸管関連リンパ組織 / IgA / Tfh細胞 / フラクトオリゴ糖

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we analyzed the effect of intestinal microbiota on the induction of follicular helper T cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue from small and large intestine as well as intestinal and serum IgA production. Analysis from the mice maintained under different microbial environments showed that intracellular signaling and luminal factors which induce germinal center formation and Tfh cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue in the large intestine were different from those of the small intestine. Tfh cells from gut-associated lymphoid tissue of the large intestine had different T-cell receptor repertoire and mRNA expression from those of small intestine. Dietary fructo-oligosaccharides modulated the proportion and function of Tfh cells in cecal patches to enhance intestinal and serum IgA production.

Free Research Field

農学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果は，小腸と大腸の免疫系細胞が腸内細菌により異なる調節を受ける機構の一端を明らかにした。これらの機構は，感染症や炎症反応などの予防や症状の緩和のために，プレバイオティクスなどの腸内細菌叢を調節する食品成分により大腸免疫系を制御するための新たな作用点となりうることが期待される。