To clarify the mechanism of mucosal immue system activation by sublingual immunization.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K23066
• 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: Nihon University
• Principal Investigator: CHANG Emily (張うえか) 日本大学, 松戸歯学部, 専修医 (50875309)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 舌下ワクチン / GroEL / HSP60

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Lifestyle-related diseases are chronic inflammatory diseases, and periodontal disease is considered a risk factor. Therefore, the goal of this study was to develop a sublingual vaccine to inhibit or reduce the risk of periodontitis.
Heat shock protein (HSP) GroEL produced by Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a typical periodontopathogenic bacterium, was used as an antigen and unmethylated oligodeoxynucleotides ( CpG-ODN) was used as the mucosal adjuvant. Sublingual immunization (SLI) induced GroEL-specific antibodies in serum and saliva and suppressed gingivitis and alveolar bone resorption. In addition, mature dendritic cells were increased in salivary glands, and type 2 helper T (Th2) cells were induced. These results indicate that sublingual administration of GroEL-CpGODN is effective in preventing periodontal disease.

Free Research Field

外科系歯学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

経粘膜ワクチンは抗原が誘導組織を介して取り込まれ、所属リンパ組織で抗原特異的抗体産生細胞が活性化される。特異的抗体産生細胞は全身循環により粘膜局所や血液中に抗原特異的抗体を産生し２段構えの生体防御システムが作り出される。これまでに胃内や鼻腔内投与により効率的に抗原特異的抗体が産生されることが報告されてきた。しかし、高濃度の抗原を必要としたり、中枢神経に障害を誘発する危険性などが指摘されたことから、舌下投与が注目されている。本研究では舌下投与による抗原特異的免疫応答システムの解明により歯周炎や歯周炎関連疾患の発症予防、軽減効果を検証することは我が国における国民の健康増進に寄与すると考えられる。