Elucidation of the mechanism of aggravation of RSV infection in patients with neonatal chronic lung disease

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16860
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52050:Embryonic medicine and pediatrics-related
• Research Institution: Fukushima Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Miyazaki Kyohei 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 博士研究員 (70769497)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 慢性肺疾患 / RSウイルス / 高濃度酸素暴露 / microRNA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neonatal chronic lung disease (CLD) is one of the serious complications in premature infants and develops as a result of exposures to high concentration of oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and inflammation. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that causes pneumonia and bronchitis in infants. CLD infants are considered to be at high risk of aggravation due to RSV infection, but the pathophysiological mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we used a CLD mouse model exposed to high concentrations of oxygen, and by infecting with RSV, CLD mice showed significant weight loss after infection and an increase in inflammatory cytokines and miRNA in lung tissue after infection

Free Research Field

周産期

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

慢性肺疾患（CLD）は、日齢28を超えても呼吸サポートが必要な、未熟児にとって重篤な合併症の１つで、酸素暴露、人工呼吸器、および炎症などにより引き起こされる。超低出生体重児のうち約30％が重症CLDに至り、CLD児は精神運動発達遅滞の合併率が高い。RSVは乳幼児に感染すると肺炎や細気管支炎などを引き起こす、最も頻度の高い原因ウイルスの一つで、早産児や、CLD児、先天性心疾患をもつ児はRSV感染症が重症化しやすく、これらの児が感染するとそのうちの10%以上が入院加療を要する。重症化のメカニズムは解明されておらず、それが解明されれば、予防法や治療法につながる知見となり、早産児の予後向上に寄与する。