Effect of chemicals on the risk of inflammation induced by pathogenic bacteria

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K05894
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38050:Food sciences-related
• Research Institution: University of Shizuoka
• Principal Investigator: Masuda Shuichi 静岡県立大学, 食品栄養科学部, 教授 (40336657)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 島村 裕子 静岡県立大学, 食品栄養科学部, 助教 (60452025)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 化学物質 / 病原性細菌 / 黄色ブドウ球菌 / SEA / 炎症 / 複合暴露

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Variations of toxicity of combined exposure to chemicals and pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus present in the food environment were evaluated. The expression of virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus in a skin model, BHI medium, and HaCaT cells was analyzed by adding chemicals such as cosmetic materials. Addition of chemicals increased Staphylococcus aureus toxin (SEA) expression in skin models and in BHI medium. Combined exposure of HaCaT cells to SEA, phenoxyethanol, and other chemicals increased the expression of inflammation-related genes. This study revealed that the combined exposure of Staphylococcus aureus and chemicals enhances toxicity such as inflammation. These results indicate that even chemicals with low toxicity may induce inflammation upon combined exposure with SEA, and the mechanism of toxicity induced by combined exposure to these two factors needs to be clarified in the future.

Free Research Field

食品衛生学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

化学物質および細菌性毒素を原因とする様々な疾患が存在するが、化学物質が黄色ブドウ球菌などのヒト常在菌を介して宿主にどのように影響するのかは明らかになっていない。本研究の成果より、病原性細菌による感染時に化学物質に暴露された結果として、単独暴露とは異なる毒性や免疫応答を誘導する可能性があることが示唆された。本研究の成果および今後の更なる研究により、SEAとの複合暴露が皮膚における炎症誘導に及ぼす影響について明らかにすることで、新たなリスク評価およびSEAが誘導する各種疾病を予防するための新たな戦略構築が期待される。