Pathogenic analysis of autoantibodies in the saliva of patients with bullous pemphigoid presenting oral lesions

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K24134
• 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: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: WADA Mayumi 北海道大学, 歯学研究院, 助教 (10846207)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 水疱性類天疱瘡 / 粘膜類天疱瘡 / 自己抗体 / 血液 / 唾液

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study focuses on recent findings regarding the presence of antibodies in saliva, and aims to analyze the autoantibodies present in the saliva of mucous membrane pemphigoid(MMP) patients. There have been no reports yet on whether the levels of autoantibodies in saliva correlate with oral disease progression.
Saliva from MMP patients was collected and ELISA using a test kit designed for measuring anti-BP180 antibodies in serum was performed.
In the saliva of patients with MMP, an Index value of 10 or higher was observed, indicating a positive result. Furthermore, a decrease in absorbance was noted to be associated with improvement in mucosal symptoms. This suggests that MMP patients may also show an increase in anti-BP180 antibody levels in their saliva, with the possibility of antibody levels fluctuating along with changes in symptoms.

Free Research Field

口腔外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

MMPやBP患者は高齢者も多く、また採血困難な患者などは一度の採血で何度も穿刺されることが予想され、精神的・肉体的な負担になっていると思われる。そのため、唾液中の抗体が血清中の抗体と同じように検出でき、評価することができるようになれば、唾液採取のみの低侵襲な検査を診断の一助として利用することが可能になると考えられ、患者にとってもメリットとなる。これは歯科医師としてMMP患者の診療や病態解明を続けてきた申請者独自のアイデアに基づく研究である。