Elucidation of the function of C-type lectin receptors for the development of novel influenza vaccine adjuvant

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17461
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 54030:Infectious disease medicine-related
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Yamamoto Hideki 新潟大学, 医歯学系, 助教 (90799082)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: インフルエンザ / C型レクチン受容体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the present study, we investigated whether influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) is involved in the initiation of inflammatory responses, particularly of HA-specific antibody responses, induced by C-type lectin receptors. Each HA, especially HA derived from A/H3N2 subtype, was bound to murine or human Dectin-2 carbohydrate domain. Total IgG titer was significantly increased in Dectin-2 gene-deficient mice compared to wild-type mice upon intraperitoneal administration with HA derived from A/H3N2 subtype. These results suggested that Dectin-2 recognizes influenza virus HA and may be involved in some mechanism that further affects HA-specific antibody production.

Free Research Field

感染症内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究から、Dectin-2遺伝子欠損下ではインフルエンザウイルスHA投与による抗体産生応答が増強される結果が得られた。これはDectin-2がHA特異的抗体産生を抑制するメカニズムが存在する可能性が示唆され、従来知られている機序とは異なる宿主免疫応答が関与していることが予想される。今後、さらに詳細な細胞動態や分子間相互作用が明らかになれば、Dectin-2を標的としたインフルエンザ予防戦略構築へ応用可能であり、社会的意義が非常に大きい。