2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Why is oral care effective in preventing respiratory infections? -Presentation of Molecular Biological Evidence-
| Project/Area Number |
22K21002
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Review Section |
0907:Oral science and related fields
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| Research Institution | Nihon University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | 歯周病 / 呼吸器疾患 / COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 |
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
With regard to respiratory diseases and oral bacteria, clinical studies have reported that periodontal pathogens are involved in both the development and severity of pneumonia, COVID-19, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the biological background at the molecular level of the mechanisms by which periodontal pathogens exert their effects on the respiratory tract remains unclear.
In this study, we found that periodontal pathogens enhanced ACE2 (a receptor for SARS-CoV-2) expression and TMPRSS2 (a virally active factor for SARS-CoV-2). In addition, periodontal pathogens reduced the barrier function of respiratory epithelial cells by suppressing the expression of genes that constitute intercellular junctions. These results may provide a mechanism by which periodontal disease may contribute to respiratory disease severity.
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| Free Research Field |
口腔微生物学
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| Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements |
昨今、全身疾患と歯周病との関連については注目を集めており、歯科医院に通院している患者の中にも認識されている方は多い。しかし、その根拠となる分子生物学的なメカニズムに関して、未だ解明されていない点が多い。
また、COVID-19やインフルエンザ、慢性閉塞性肺疾患(COPD)等の呼吸器疾患と比べると歯科は軽視されやすく、呼吸器疾患に罹患されている患者の口腔内は二の次になることも多いと考える。
本研究は、呼吸器疾患と歯周病の関係の一端を分子生物学的に解明しており、このことから患者および医療従事者に対して呼吸器疾患における歯科の重要性が示唆された。
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