Are extracellular vesicles of periodontal pathogens that reach the brain involved in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease?

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K23030
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0907:Oral science and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: SEYAMA Mariko 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(歯学域), 助教 (30875787)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 歯周病原菌 / アルツハイマー病 / 細胞外小胞 / 神経炎症 / ミクログリア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Periodontal diseases affect the pathology of Alzheimer’s diseases, whereas the molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated. In this study, we verified whether OMVs released from Porpyromonas gingivais (Pg OMVs) implicated in Alzheimer’s diseases. The injection of Pg OMVs for 12 weeks did not affect the cognitive function in the mice. In the brain of Pg OMVs-injected mice, the gingipains contained on Pg OMVs were detected, and microglias were activated. The pathological findings such as atrophy and demyelination were not observed. In human microglia HMC-3 cells, Pg OMVs decreased the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines. These results suggested that Pg OMVs which were produced in periodontal diseases may affects Altheimer’s diseases by delivering their virulence factor gingipains to the brain.

Free Research Field

歯周病

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果により、歯周病がアルツハイマー病を悪化させる分子機序や科学的根拠の一端が提示された。この結果を社会に還元し、「アルツハイマー病の予防・治療における、口腔ケア（口腔健康管理）や歯周治療の重要性」を啓発して行きたい。