Elucidation of host immune disturbance mechanism by Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K07033
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49050:Bacteriology-related
• Research Institution: Tokushima Bunri University
• Principal Investigator: Takehara Masaya 徳島文理大学, 薬学部, 講師 (40742705)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 永浜 政博 徳島文理大学, 薬学部, 教授 (40164462)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ウエルシュ菌 / 細菌毒素 / 宿主免疫 / Toll様受容体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism of septic shock induced by Clostridium perfringens infection and the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in Clostridium perfringens infection, comprehensively detect the host-α-toxin interaction using DNA microarray, and investigate the elucidation of the mechanism of TLR4 activation by α-toxin. As the results, it was demonstrated that infection with Clostridium perfringens increases the expression of inflammation-related genes and genes involved in capillary protection and regeneration in the host, and that alpha-toxin increases genes involved in the aerobic energy production. Furthermore, theta toxin and alpha toxin were found to act cooperatively to activate TLR4.

Free Research Field

細菌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で示したA型ウエルシュ菌と宿主との相互作用に着目した研究は世界的にも前例がほとんど無く、学術的にも極めて独創性が高いと考えられる。また、本研究で実施した研究手法は、さまざまな病原細菌の研究に応用可能で、発症や進行の機構が不明な細菌感染症の進行メカニズムの解明に寄与する可能性がある。このように、本研究の成果は、細菌感染症に対する新規な研究領域を開拓し、発症機序解明や治療に大きく貢献するものと期待する。