Molecular Biological analysis of virulence factors possessed by animal-derived periodontal pathogen P. gulae

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K09918
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57020:Oral pathobiological science-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Inaba Hiroaki 岡山大学, 医歯薬学域, 准教授 (70359850)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: P. gulae / 線毛 / プロテアーゼ / LPS / 病原因子 / 歯周病

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research fund found the functional analysis of P. gulae virulence factors, including fimbriae, proteases, and LPS. Fimbriae analysis: FimA-deficient strain and a complementary strain were used in this study. Fimbriae was involved in P. gulae adherence and invasion on human gingival epithelial cells, while their properties, such as bacterial proliferation, black pigmentation, were not. LPS analysis: P. gulae LPS modulate the activity of multiple signaling
pathways via TLR2 and TLR4, resulting in the increase in inflammatory responses. Protease analysis: P. gulae proteases have an impact on hemagglutination, coaggregation with A. viscosus, and are required for bacterial growth. In addition, cell contact and adhesion-related human proteins were degraded by P. gulae proteases. Moreover, P. gulae proteases were shown to cleave γ-globulin, fibrinogen, and fibronectin.

Free Research Field

病態系口腔科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

P. gulae 感染は人畜共通感染症の可能性を持ち、人類の歯周病発症に関与する可能性が知らせている。本研究課題により明らかになったP. gulae 病原因子群の機能解析を世界に先駆けて報告すると共に、歯周病発症との関連性を明らかにすることができ学術的意義は高いと考えらえる。これら明らかになった病原因子群の機能をターゲットにした予防方法、治療方法の開発、ならびにP. gulae感染症に対する創薬につなぐことが出来る一端を証明することができた。また、医療関係者や患者への教育内容を充実させることができ、社会的な意義も高いと考えられる。