The molecular mechanisms of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum reactivation from latency.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H03149
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: Gifu University
• Principal Investigator: Takashima Yasuhiro 岐阜大学, 応用生物科学部, 准教授 (20333552)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 山本 雅裕 大阪大学, 微生物病研究所, 教授 (00444521)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: トキソプラズマ / ネオスポラ / 潜伏

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The study revealed that activation of Toxoplasma gondii from the latent state is induced when the concentrations of sodium, potassium, and calcium ions in the microenvironment around the latent worms meet certain conditions. These conditions were similar to those outside the host cell, suggesting that cysts formed inside the host cell are released outside the cell to trigger reactivation. In fact, reactivation occurred when cysts inside the host cell were physically removed from the cell. The results also indicated that the protozoan calcium channels are necessary for these reactions.

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Free Research Field

獣医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

人獣共通感染症であるトキソプラズマは、感染したからと言って直ちに発症することはまれである。いっぽう、免疫不全などにより潜伏中の虫体が再活性化すると脳炎などの重篤な障害につながることがある。これまで潜伏から再活性化に至るメカニズムは不明であったが、本研究でこれが明らかとなった。このため人、あるいは家畜に潜伏感染している本原虫の再活性化を防ぐための基盤となる知見が得られたと言える。