Phenotypic plasticity of the microbiota associated with odontogenic infections

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10077
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57020:Oral pathobiological science-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Women's Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Osaka Toshifumi 東京女子医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (70514470)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Fusobacterium nucleatum / バイオフィルム / クォーラムセンシング / 大腸がん

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Ectopic colonization by oral pathogens results in structural and phenotypic alteration in the commensal bacterial flora, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of various systemic diseases. In this study, we found that Fusobacterium nucleatum, which is associated with colorectal cancer, altered phenotypes (e.g., growth potential, metabolite dynamics, cell surface structure, and biofilm formation ability) through interactions among heterologous bacteria. In addition, Fusobacterium nucleatum showed subspecies-level differences in the ability to produce quorum sensing molecules and induce aberrant crypt foci in colonic mucosal surface in a colitis-associated colorectal cancer murine model.

Free Research Field

細菌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

歯周病関連細菌の腸内移行は大腸がんの発症リスクを増加させることから、健康な口腔環境の管理は大腸がんの予防に寄与することが考えられる。また、異種細菌間の相互作用研究は、バイオフィルム感染症に対する新しい治療方法の開発に波及することが期待される。