Non-IgE-mediated allergic conjunctivitis induced by endotoxin and allergen in mice.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18346
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: Kochi University
• Principal Investigator: Ishida Waka 高知大学, 医学部, 特任助教 (40761705)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: アレルギー性結膜炎

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Allergic conjunctivitis is thought to be caused by a type I allergic reaction. however, a small number of patients with allergic conjunctivitis have no detectable antigen-specific IgE. In this study, we investigated whether endotoxin, a bacterial constituent, is involved in the development of allergic conjunctivitis symptoms. The results showed that non-IgE-mediated allergic reactions were induced by passive immunization. The non-IgE-mediated allergic reaction was histamine-dependent, and Th2 cells were activated in the conjunctiva, and scratching behavior was induced by endotoxin exposure.

Free Research Field

眼科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

結膜炎の原因として臨床的には大きく感染性結膜炎とアレルギー性結膜炎の2つに大別される。アレルギー性結膜炎の即時型反応は、主に抗原特異的IgEによって引き起こされると考えられているが、エンドトキシンがIgE非依存性にアレルギー性結膜炎症状を誘導することが明らかになれば、新しい疾患概念を提示できる。また、新規のI型アレルギー反応が細菌の関与で生じることを示す事ができ、その機序がマスト細胞やIgEに依存せず、T細胞やマクロファージなどの他の免疫細胞を介する事が明らかになれば、その機序に即した新しい診断技術や治療法を開発し臨床応用するための基盤となりうる重要な基礎的研究となる。