Molecular mechanisms underlying streptococcal infections for development of preventive and therapeutic measures

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H03825
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57020:Oral pathobiological science-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Kawabata Shigetada 大阪大学, 歯学研究科, 教授 (50273694)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 中田 匡宣 鹿児島大学, 医歯学域歯学系, 教授 (90444497) ; 住友 倫子 大阪大学, 歯学研究科, 講師 (50423421) ; 山口 雅也 大阪大学, 歯学研究科, 講師 (00714536)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: レンサ球菌 / インフルエンザ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae are major human-specific bacterial pathogens that causes a wide array of manifestations ranging from mild localized infections to life-threatening invasive infections. These streptococcal species were also identified as the predominant pathogens that cause bacterial pneumonia following influenza. To clarify the mechanism responsible for viral infection-induced enhancement of bacterial adherence to host cells, we identified both host and bacterial factors involved in that process. We then utilized an in vivo model to investigate whether the identified host and bacterial factors involved in the pathogenesis of coinfection are useful targets for development of therapeutic strategies.

Free Research Field

細菌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

インフルエンザウイルス感染に合併する細菌性肺炎は臨床的に重要性があるにも関わらず，重複感染の分子機構についての解析は稀有であった．本研究では，細菌感染初期におけるA型インフルエンザウイルス感染宿主と肺炎球菌の相互作用を解析し，小胞体局在シャペロンであるGP96がウイルス感染上気道へ異所性に表出し，二次的に感染する肺炎球菌の肺組織への伝播と定着を亢進させることを明らかにした．また，マウス感染モデルを用いて，GP96は二次性肺炎の予防・治療標的として有用であることを示した．