The effect of extracellular vesicles released from oral bacteria on the destruction of lung epithelial cells

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19328
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57080:Social dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: mino(shiotsu) noriko (塩津範子) 岡山大学, 大学病院, 医員 (90771452)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 歯周病原菌 / Porphyromonas gingivalis / 細胞外小胞 / アポトーシス / 細胞接着機構

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis have been reported to aggravate bronchitis and aspiration pneumonia. In this study, we focused on the "extracellular vesicles" released from periodontal pathogens and analyzed the cytotoxicity to alveolar epithelial cells. "Extracellular vesicles" were collected from Porphyromonas gingivalis and used for treatment of cultured alveolar epithelial cell line A549. As a result, it was clarified that the "extracellular vesicles" released by periodontal pathogens are rich in virulence factors specific for periodontal pathogens. The treatment of "extracellular vesicles" induced apoptosis in the alveolar epithelial cells and destroyed the adhesion mechanism. These results suggest that "extracellular vesicles" derived from periodontal bacteria may be involved in the inflammation and destruction of epithelial tissues of the respiratory tract and lung.

Free Research Field

細胞組織学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

歯周病を惹起する歯周病原菌は，歯周組織の上皮や硬組織を破壊するだけでなく，口腔領域外の組織の炎症にも関与することが分かってきた。中でも，歯周病原菌による気管支炎や誤嚥性肺炎の重症化は生命の危険に直結するため，高齢者では大きな問題となっている。しかし，歯周病原菌が気道や肺の炎症を増悪する分子メカニズムはよく分かっていなかった。本研究の結果，歯周病原菌由来の『細胞外分泌小胞』が気道や肺の上皮組織に与える障害性を調べ，歯周病原菌によって誘導される呼吸器系組織の炎症の新たな分子メカニズムを解明した。