A new therapeutic strategy for pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis based on macrophage phagocytosis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16537
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52010:General internal medicine-related
• Research Institution: University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
• Principal Investigator: Yamasaki Kei 産業医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (50441861)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 肺非結核性抗酸菌症 / マクロファージ / 慢性下気道感染症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We evaluated the phenotypes of alveolar macrophages and their phagocytic activity using flow cytometry in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collected from patients with chronic lower respiratory tract infections. The study included 30 subjects, divided into two groups: patients with pulmonary NTM disease (n=11) and a control group (n=19). The results showed that phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages in the pulmonary NTM disease group was significantly reduced compared to the control group. These findings suggest that dysfunction of alveolar macrophages may contribute to persistent bacterial infections and the progression of MAC lung disease.

Free Research Field

呼吸器感染症

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で、肺非結核性抗酸菌（NTM）症患者の肺胞マクロファージは一般細菌に対する貪食能が低下していることが初めて明らかになった。今までは肺NTM症に対して、非結核性抗酸菌に対する薬剤での治療が中心であったが、肺NTM症は難治例も多く、非結核性抗酸菌のみならず、一般細菌に対する抗菌薬治療も肺NTM症治療のおいて考慮すべき治療選択の一つとなる可能性が示唆され、肺NTM症の予後改善や合併症予防に寄与する可能性がある。