Development of a novel approach for infected wounds focusing on lymphocyte function

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19494
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58050:Fundamental of nursing-related
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Tanno Hiromasa 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 助教 (10755664)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 創傷治癒 / 感染 / NKT細胞 / α-GalCer / リンパ球

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Bacteria are detected in more than 90% of chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers and diabetic leg ulcers, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most frequently detected bacteria. In this study, we analyzed the effect of NKT cell activation on the elimination of P. aeruginosa in wounds.
Administration of α-GalCer, a specific activator of NKT cells, resulted in significantly decreased the number of live colonies in the wounded tissues on days 5 and 7 after P. aeruginosa inoculation, and significantly increased the number of neutrophils on day 3. IFN-γ, IL-22, IL-23, IL-12p70, and S100A9 production were significantly higher in α-GalCer-treated group than in vehicle-treated group. These results suggest that iNKT cells promote P. aeruginosa clearance during skin wound healing.

Free Research Field

基礎看護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

現在、細菌感染・バイオフィルム形成が疑われる慢性創傷のケアとして、洗浄、銀イオン含有ドレッシング材などが選択され、これらは創部の細菌数を減らすことに主眼を置いている。本研究は、宿主免疫を標的とした新しい創傷ケア技術の確立を目指すものである。本研究により、宿主免疫活性化が創部細菌数を減らすことが明らかとなり、新しい創傷ケア技術となる可能性を示した。この宿主免疫を標的としたケア技術は、救済できる慢性創傷を増やす可能性がある。