Elucidation of the mechanism underlying prostate cancer development by Cutibacterium acnes

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09401
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56030:Urology-related
• Research Institution: Kochi University
• Principal Investigator: ASHIDA Shingo 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系臨床医学部門, 講師 (80380327)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 大畑 雅典 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系基礎医学部門, 教授 (50263976) ; 坂本 修士 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系基礎医学部門, 教授 (80397546)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 前立腺癌 / アクネ菌 / BRCA2

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Microarray analysis revealed significant changes in homologous recombination (HR) pathway in prostate epithelial cells infected with Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). Electron microscopy revealed that C. acnes invaded prostate epithelial cells and localized in the perinuclear vesicles, whereas γH2AX foci analysis and HR assay revealed impaired HR repair in C. acnes-infected cells. The expression of BRCA2 gene, which is included in HR pathway, was significantly down-regulated in C. acnes-infected cells. To clarify the mechanism underlying the decrease in BRCA2 gene expression, luciferase assay was performed and decreased promoter activity of BRCA2 gene was observed in C. acnes-infected prostate epithelial cells.

Free Research Field

泌尿器科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これらの結果は、アクネ菌感染は相同組換え修復欠損を引き起こし、BRCAnessからゲノム不安定性、さらには前立腺癌発生のリスクを増加させることを示唆している。前立腺癌発生におけるアクネ菌の役割がさらに明らかになれば、前立腺癌の病態解明につながるだけでなく、除菌等により前立腺癌の予防に貢献できると考えられる。