TLR7 Signaling Activity and Functional Analysis in Salivary Glands with Sjögren's Syndrome

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17445
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 54020:Connective tissue disease and allergy-related
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: Shimizu Toshimasa 長崎大学, 病院(医学系), 助教 (40770467)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: シェーグレン症候群 / TLR7

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The role of innate immunity in the pathogenesis of Sjogren's syndrome (SS) has attracted attention. The study showed that stimulation of salivary gland epithelial cells of SS by Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 ligands enhanced the expression of MHC class I and Ro52, one of SS autoantigens. In addition, the expression of the MHC class I peptide-loading complex, which is necessary for MHC class I-mediated antigen presentation, was enhanced in the epithelium of salivary gland tissues in SS and in salivary gland epithelial cells after TLR7 ligand stimulation. These results suggested that TLR7 signaling was involved in antigen presentation.

Free Research Field

リウマチ・膠原病内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

シェーグレン症候群の病態に関与する免疫機構の異常はいまだ不明な点が多く、十分な治療薬も存在しない。T細胞、B細胞異常などの獲得免疫異常が中心と考えられていた中で、その上流機構にあたる自然免疫の関与をとくに本疾患の炎症の主座である唾液腺を用いて検討した。その点で本検討はシェーグレン症候群の免疫活性のとくに発症早期の機序の解明の一助になると考える。