Elucidation of exacerbation mechanisms and disease control of atopic dermatitis unraveled from the microbiome

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K07208
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 47060:Clinical pharmacy-related
• Research Institution: Meiji Pharmaceutical University
• Principal Investigator: Cho Otomi 明治薬科大学, 薬学部, 特任研究員 (50573466)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: マイクロバイオーム / アトピー性皮膚炎 / マラセチア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We examined the skin immune response of Malassezia, a fungi constituting one of the exacerbating microbiomes of atopic dermatitis, and assessed the impact on the microbiome of worsening microbes newly isolated from the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis. As a result, Malassezia was indicated as potentially contributing to both the exacerbation and suppression of atopic dermatitis. The newly isolated Delftia species were thought to induce dysbiosis toward Staphylococcus aureus by inhibiting the growth of coagulase-negative staphylococci, a major component of normal skin. Furthermore, by focusing on the interaction between bacteria and fungi, it became clear that inflammation induced by Staphylococcus aureus, an exacerbating factor, is suppressed by the fungus Malassezia.

Free Research Field

微生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、アトピー性皮膚炎の病態におけるマイクロバイオームの役割を明らかにした。真菌マラセチアと黄色ブドウ球菌の相互作用、新たに同定されたDelftia属菌の影響、マラセチアが炎症を抑制する能力の検証は、皮膚疾患の発症・増悪機序を理解するための基盤となった。さらに、遺伝子欠損株の作製とその評価は、疾患の分子メカニズムの解明に寄与した。