The new functions of staphylococcal toxins -The immune activation and the involvement in allergic disorders-

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07067
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 47030:Pharmaceutical hygiene and biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya City University
• Principal Investigator: Itoh Saotomo 名古屋市立大学, 医薬学総合研究院(薬学), 准教授 (70308013)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 黄色ブドウ球菌 / 細菌毒素 / アレルギー / マスト細胞 / 好塩基球

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Staphylococcus aureus is though to be associated with allergic disorders. In this study, We showed that two staphylococcal toxins, alpha-hemolysin and Staphylococcal superantigen-like 12 (SSL12) activate the important immune cells in the development of the allergic inflammation, mast cells and basophils.We also identified the responsible amino acid residues of SSL12 for mast cells activation. These results demonstrate the involvement of staphylococcal toxins in the development of allergic disorders.

Free Research Field

細菌学　免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

学術的意義：機能未知であったSSL12のマスト細胞，好塩基球活性化という新たな生理機能を見出した．また溶血毒素α毒素の新たな生理機能を示した．
社会的意義：わが国の半数の国民が何らかのアレルギーに悩まされている．本研究は黄色ブドウ球菌毒素によるアレルギーの発症増悪のメカニズムの一つをしめすものである．またトキソイドワクチンの開発など，細菌毒素を標的としたアレルギーの予防治療法の可能性を提示するものである．