Development of new drug therapy for xerostomia targeting Cftr

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K24077
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0907:Oral science and related fields
• Research Institution: Kyushu Dental College
• Principal Investigator: Takashi Munemasa 九州歯科大学, 歯学部, 助教 (40852489)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 唾液 / 唾液腺 / Cftr / イオン濃度 / pH / 口腔乾燥症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Decreased saliva secretion caused by xerostomia is often a problem in dental prosthetic treatment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between Cftr and salivary gland function by applying a Cftr potentiator (Ivacaftor: VX-770) and to evaluate whether it is effective in recovering and enhancing salivary gland function. As a result of the ex vivo submandibular gland perfusion experiment, there was no change in saliva secretion in the experimental group compared with the control group. However, the Na + and Cl- concentrations were significantly lower in the experimental group than control group, while the pH was significantly higher in the experimental group than control group. Therefore, it was clarified that the quality of saliva was changed by the enhancement of Cftr function.

Free Research Field

唾液生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

口腔乾燥症による唾液分泌量の低下は、インプラント周囲炎や歯周病の増悪、義歯の装着困難などを引き起こし、歯科補綴治療に際し問題となる。近年では、唾液分泌量は正常であるが、唾液の質の変化により口渇や口腔内の乾燥感が惹起されることが報告されている。本研究では、Cftr機能の増強による唾液分泌量の変化は認めなかったが、唾液の質が変化していることが明らかとなった。今後、唾液の粘稠度といった唾液性状の変化についての評価や質が変化するメカニズムについて解明できれば、口腔乾燥症治療法確立の一助となることが期待される。