A strategic approach to elucidate the etiology of EBV-induced periodontitis and to develop novel therapies

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10078
• 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: Nihon University
• Principal Investigator: IMAI Kenichi 日本大学, 歯学部, 教授 (60381810)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: EBウイルス / 歯周病 / 炎症性サイトカイン / 破骨細胞 / 唾液

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Periodontitis is an inflammatory condition that causes the destruction of the supporting tissues of teeth and is a major public health problem. Although traditional microbiological research on the etiology of periodontitis has focused on some oral endogenous bacteria, emerging evidence suggests an association between EBV and periodontitis progression. However, EBV’s role in the etiology of periodontitis is unknown. We found that extremely high levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were induced by inactivated EBV in a copy-dependent manner in HGFs. EBV induced IκBα degradation, NF-κB transcription, and RAW264.7 cell differentiation into osteoclast-like cells. Futhermore, BZLF1 mRNA expression and transcriptional activity in Daudi cells were induced only when treated with the hronic periodontitis patients' saliva. Thus, EBV, as well as periodontopathic bacteria, should be considered as a causative agent of the progression of human chronic periodontitis.

Free Research Field

口腔微生物学、感染症学、ウイルス学、免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

わが国では今後ますます高齢化が進むため、重症度のより高い患者の増加が見込まれる。また、歯周病がその発症に関与する糖尿病や肺炎等への影響も懸念される。長年にわたり、ある種の細菌と歯周疾患に関する研究が行われてきたが、未だに病因ははっきりしていない。最近、患部には細菌のみならず多くのEBウイルス（EBV）が存在することがわかってきた。EBVによる歯周疾患発症のメカニズムに関する研究は、新たな診断基準の基となる病因論の解明と新規治療法の開発に繋がることが期待される。また、EBVが関与するリンパ腫や胃がん、潰瘍性大腸炎など他の重要な疾患の研究に新たな情報を提示できる可能性もある。