Development of novel therapies using neutrophil functions mediated by the autophagy machinery against multi-drug resistant bacterial infections

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26670484
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Infectious disease medicine
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: ITOH Hiroshi 京都大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (20362387)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): ADACHI Souichi 京都大学, 大学院医学研究科, 教授 (10273450)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 好中球 / オートファジー / 自然免疫 / 殺菌能 / 多剤耐性菌 / 易感染宿主 / 貪食 / 免疫グロブリン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We revealed the enhancing effects on phagocytic function, bactericidal activity, and autophagy of human neutrophils by an intravenous immunoglobulin preparation in the experimental system using clinical isolate multidrug-resistant bacteria. We also observed that the number of bacteria-containing autophagosomes have increased in the experimental system. In addition, we revealed that the autophagy contributes the bactericidal activity of neutrophils by the autophagy suppression experiments. The similar effects were also observed in neutrophils isolated from the patients being administered immunosuppressive agents after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It is expected that the therapy with neutrophil functions mediated by the autophagy machinery will be established effectively against multi-drug resistant bacterial infections in compromised hosts.

Free Research Field

生体防御学