Development of novel cancer immunotherapy targeting mycoplasma-derived arginine metabolism regulatory protein

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07764
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 50020:Tumor diagnostics and therapeutics-related
• Research Institution: Fukuoka University
• Principal Investigator: Nishinakagawa Takuya 福岡大学, 薬学部, 助教 (30600035)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: がん診断法 / 抗体医薬 / 微生物感染腫瘍

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In recent cancer cases, knowledge about mycoplasma infection and cancer malignant transformation is gathering. In this study, we succeeded in establishing a specific antibody against arginine deiminase (ADI) produced by mycoplasma infected with cancer cells, and constructed an ADI detection system. The established antibody is extremely useful in analyzing the relationship between mycoplasma infection and cancer malignant transformation using cancer patient serum and tissue staining. We also analyzed the function of ADI on immunocompetent cells and found that ADI induces cell death in immunocompetent cells. It was suggested that ADI acts as an immunosuppressive molecule and is involved in the immune escape mechanism of cancer cells.

Free Research Field

腫瘍免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

現在のマイコプラズマ検出法の主流はPCR法による遺伝子検査であり、がん組織における病理学的変化とマイコプラズマ感染との因果関係を分析するツールとしては難しい。
本研究課題では、マイコプラズマに対するマウスモノクローナル抗体を複数クローン樹立することに成功し、さらに、樹立抗体が様々なマイコプラズマ検出系に応用できることを確認した。マイコプラズマ特異的抗体の創出は、診断技術の向上や治療戦略開発において重要なツールとして応用でき、学術的・社会的意義が大きい。