Analysis of the mechanism of persistent infection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae through regulation of hydrogen peroxide-induced cell detachment of epithelial cells.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17944
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 54030:Infectious disease medicine-related
• Research Institution: Kurume University
• Principal Investigator: YAMAMOTO TAKESHI 久留米大学, 医学部, 講師 (20632566)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 肺炎マイコプラズマ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a causative agent of respiratory tract infections such as mycoplasma pneumonia. It is known that this organism can be detected in airway-derived specimens long after the infection is cured, and this persistent infection is thought to be related to the onset and exacerbation of bronchial asthma and other diseases.
M. pneumoniae employs airway cells as infectious foothold. Therefore, it is necessary to inhibit the detachment of airway cells induced by the hydrogen peroxide that is produced by the bacterium in order to sustain the infection.
In this study, we analyzed the mechanism of inhibition of cell detachment by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and found that this bacterium suppresses the function of a protein called PARP1, thereby reducing the detachment of cells in the airways caused by hydrogen peroxide.

Free Research Field

細菌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

肺炎マイコプラズマは一般に急性感染症として気管支炎や肺炎を起こす細菌として知られているが、気管支喘息患者由来の検体の約45％から本菌が検出されるなど、同疾患をはじめとする慢性炎症性呼吸器疾患との関連も指摘されている。本研究ではこのような慢性炎症性呼吸器疾患の発症に肺炎マイコプラズマの持続感染性が関係しているという観点から、本菌の持続感染機構として感染上皮細胞の剥離抑制機構についての解析を行った。本研究の成果は肺炎マイコプラズマが関連する慢性炎症性呼吸器疾患を制御するための新しい治療法や予防法の開発に貢献することが期待される。