Investigation into the immune regulation by oral microbiome and application for sublingual immunotherapy

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18322
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: International University of Health and Welfare
• Principal Investigator: OKA Aiko 国際医療福祉大学, 医学部, 助教 (40865234)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: アレルギー性鼻炎 / 舌下免疫療法 / プレボテラ属細菌 / IL-10

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Saliva samples were collected from patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis and incubated with immune cells for 24 hours. The production of IL-10, a regulatory cytokine, was monitored by ELISA and patient response to sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) was compared with the percent composition of the salivary microbiome. We found that patients with higher IL-10 production and better response to SLIT had a higher percent composition of Prevotella genus. In addition, we found that the IL-10 production depended on the percent composition of P. melaninogenica species, which was the main component of the Prevotella genus present in patient saliva samples. These results raise the possibility that IL-10 is involved in the regulation of allergic reaction by P. melaninogenica species in the context of the treatment with SLIT.

Free Research Field

アレルギー性鼻炎

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

スギ花粉症患者は年々増加傾向にあり、労働生産性や睡眠の質の低下など社会的負荷となっている。舌下免疫療法はアレルギーの長期寛解が期待できる治療法であるが、治療期間の長さや効果不良の症例が存在するという課題がある。治療効果を高めるアジュバント開発が望まれており、本研究ではプレボテラ属細菌がその候補になることが示された。今後はプレボテラ属細菌の中でも組成率の高いP. melaninogenicaに対象を絞り、IL-10産生誘導能を持つ成分の特定、治療薬開発へとつなげるために実験を継続予定である。