Mechanism of Neuronal Damage by virus-infected cells in HAM/TSP.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K08004
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52020:Neurology-related
• Research Institution: St. Marianna University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Araya Natsumi 聖マリアンナ医科大学, 医学研究科, 助教 (80440353)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: HTLV-1 / HTLV-1関連脊髄症（HAM） / 神経障害 / Tax

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a rare neurodegenerative chronic inflammatory disease clearly caused by HTLV-1 retroviral infection. However, the direct evidence by which HTLV-1-induced hyperactive immune response induce the central nervous system damage has not yet been demonstrated. This study is the first to demonstrate that HTLV-1-infected cells in HAM/TSP patients contribute not only to chronic inflammation but also to neural cell damage. We also identified a factor that plays an important role in neuronal damage by HTLV-1-infected cells. Therefore, this study could suggest a new therapeutic strategy for HAM/TSP that targets neuropathy mediated by this factor.

Free Research Field

神経免疫

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで、HAMの治療薬開発はHAMの感染細胞や慢性炎症に対する探索や評価に限られていたが、本研究成果によりHAMの神経障害機構が明らかになることにより、治療戦略として新たに神経障害の抑制を標的とした新薬開発が可能となる。従って、学術的にも臨床的にも重要な課題の解決に結びつく成果になると考える。また、HAMは先進国の中でその患者が多いのは日本のみであるため、HAMの病態や発症予防法・治療法に関する我が国での研究成果は世界中から期待されており、本研究の成果は国際的にも社会貢献という側面からも意義あるものとなる。