Influence of inflammasome on RS virus pathogenesis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17474
• 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: Aichi Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Morita Naoko 愛知医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (20815881)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: RSウイルス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we examined the mechanism of inflammasome activation by RS virus. Through analysis of the impact of individual RS virus proteins on the inflammasome, we identified a specific viral protein capable of independently promoting inflammasome activity. Further investigation revealed that certain domains within this protein were sufficient to elicit a similar enhancement in activity, indicating that the regions involved in activation have been identified.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

RSウイルスは、インフラマソームを過剰に活性化させることが重症化の一因になることが分かってきている。今回、そのメカニズムとして、活性化に関わる領域を特定した。今後、さらに詳細なメカニズムを明らかにすることで、その領域をターゲットとした治療薬などへの開発に貢献できると考える。