Analysis of the association between pathogenic CD4+T cells and microbiota in sialadenitis like Sjogren's syndrome.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K08891
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54020:Connective tissue disease and allergy-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: IIZUKA Mana 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 特任助教 (80734821)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: シェーグレン症候群 / 自己免疫疾患 / T細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Sjogren's syndrome(SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by infiltration of lymphocytes into lacrimal and salivary glands, and clinically by dry eyes and dry mouth. There are unknown pathogenesis of SS. The most infiltrating lymphocytes in the salivary glands are autoreactive CD4+ T cells, which are involved in the initial phase of pathogenesis and exacerbation of sialadenitis.
In this study, we used SS model mice spontaneously developed sialadenitis like SS, in order to clarify the pathogenesis of sialadenitis. Here, we found that the involvement of the intestinal microbiota in the activation of autoreactive CD4+ T cells.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

SSは慢性唾液腺炎、涙腺炎を主徴とする臓器特異的自己免疫疾患であり、国の指定難病に選定されている。その発症機序は不明であり、確立した治療法はなく、対処療法に頼るのみである。本研究により、SSの発症に関わる自己反応性T細胞の機能および活性化機序が明らかとなり、新たな疾患特異的創薬への応用も期待される。