Elucidation of a novel mechanism of HAM pathogenesis by targeting the innate immune system

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K07427
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52020:Neurology-related
• Research Institution: St. Marianna University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Yagishita Naoko 聖マリアンナ医科大学, 医学研究科, 講師 (40367389)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: HAM / HTLV-1 / 自然免疫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy (HAM) has higher levels of HTLV-1 provirus compared to asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers.HAM patients have high numbers of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for the HTLV-1 antigen, Tax, and high anti-HTLV-1 antibody titers, suggesting that the spread of HTLV-1 infection is uncontrolled despite CTL function.On the other hand, it has been reported that the frequency of dendritic cells and natural killer cells is decreased in patients with HAM, suggesting that patients with HAM may have developed HAM due to HTLV-1 infection spread by vulnerable innate immunity.
In this study, we proceeded with a comprehensive analysis of gene expression using specimens derived from HAM patients, and found decreased expression of molecules involved in innate immunity.

Free Research Field

神経免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

HAMにおいて自然免疫が低下していることが明らかになった。引き続き解析を進めることで、HAM発症リスクを予測することが可能な末梢血中サロゲートマーカーの同定も可能になると期待され、HTLV-1関連疾患の研究領域に対しても貢献できるものと考えられる。