The functional analysis of laryngeal taste bud like cells in water swallowing

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K21020
• 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: Kyushu Dental College
• Principal Investigator: Hsu Chia-Chien 九州歯科大学, 歯学部, 助教 (10908932)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 水嚥下 / 喉頭部 / 味蕾様構造 / 嚥下障害 / 咽頭炎

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Swallowing is an essential function for nutrient intaking. The receptor mechanism of water-stimulated swallowing has not yet been elucidated, and its relevance to taste bud-like structures in the larynx is also unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore the receptor mechanism of water-stimulated swallowing in the laryngeal mucosa, including taste bud-like structures. The chloride ion channel, ClC-3, was identified as a promising candidate. Fluorescence immunostaining revealed that ClC-3 is expressed in the laryngeal mucosa and co-expressed with CK8, a marker of taste cells. Furthermore, swallowing function was suppressed and taste bud-like structures were lost in experimental animals due to pharyngitis. These results suggest that ClC-3 is involved in the triggering mechanism of water-stimulated swallowing in either or both the laryngeal mucosa and taste bud-like structures.

Free Research Field

生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

誤嚥性肺炎は日本人死因の第６位であり、特に要介護高齢者は嚥下機能低下により誤嚥性肺炎リスクが高いとされ、嚥下機能の維持と回復は高齢者医療の最重要課題の一つである。加えて、咽頭炎にも嚥下障害を引き起こす要因として考えられる。本研究は，不明であった水刺激嚥下の受容機構に関する根本的な分子メカニズムの知見を提供することができる。さらに、咽頭炎が起因とした嚥下障害の発症機序を検討することに加え、嚥下機能の回復に関する新たな治療アプローチを提供することができる。