Molecular mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in canine babesiosis

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06378
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: Iwate University
• Principal Investigator: Otsuka Yayoi 岩手大学, 農学部, 客員准教授 (30396303)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 山崎 真大 岩手大学, 農学部, 教授 (40322846)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: Babesia gibsoni / 血小板減少症 / 熱ショック蛋白質70 / 抗血小板抗体 / サイトカイン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To elucidate the mechanism of thrombocytopenia in Babesiosis, this study was conducted based on the hypothesis that the defense response triggered by B. gibsoni-derived proteins plays an important role in the pathogenesis of platelets in babesiosis. As a result, it was suggested that the cross-reaction of antigen-antibody reactions induced by heat shock protein 70 and other proteins of B. gibsoni also extends to canine platelets. In addition, the elevation of serum IL-8 were observed in B. gibsoni acutely infected dogs.

Free Research Field

獣医内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本症の主症状である血小板減少症についてあまり研究されておらず、機序は不明である。本症の血小板病態の全体像を掴むことで、新たな病態や血小板感染防御の発見に加え、本症や他の血小板減少症を発生させる感染症の研究・制圧においても大きな意義を果たすと考えられる。本研究から血小板貪食機構が関与する可能性が示唆され、それを惹起する原虫由来タンパク質の同定を進めることで、ワクチン開発や創薬分野へ寄与できる。