伦敦大学学院、ZSL和伦敦帝国学院的研究团队发现，某些蛙类种群能够从致命壶菌（Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis）感染中恢复的关键在于蝌蚪阶段的免疫防御发展[1]。研究人员在比利牛斯山脉四个湖泊的中部蟾蜍身上进行了调查，发现恢复种群在蝌蚪期产生的抗菌肽数量显著多于衰退种群[1]。这项研究已发表在《Nature Chemical Biology》期刊上[1]。
研究工作确定了1,152种抗菌肽，其中仅有7种此前被记录过[1]。这些由蛙类自然产生的防御物质可能为未来的抗感染药物研发提供启发[1]。伦敦大学学院的Dr. Phillip Jervis表示："我们的研究表明从这种疾病重度衰退的物种仍可恢复。它们有工具来对抗感染——只是取决于时机"[1]。Professor Alethea Tabor指出，许多人类药物最初源于自然界的发现，例如青霉素来自真菌[1]。这项研究由英国自然环境研究委员会(NERC)和Leverhulme信托基金资助[1]。
Researchers from University College London, the Zoological Society of London, and Imperial College London have identified the key factor enabling certain frog populations to recover from infection by the deadly chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.[1] The survival mechanism lies in the development of robust immune defenses during the tadpole stage, according to findings published in Nature Chemical Biology.[1]
The research team studied midwife toad populations across four lakes in the Pyrenees and found a striking difference between recovering and declining populations.[1] Recovering populations produced significantly more antimicrobial peptides during their tadpole phase, whereas declining populations generated fewer of these protective compounds.[1] Through their investigation, scientists identified 1,152 antimicrobial peptides, with only seven previously documented in scientific literature.[1]
Dr. Phillip Jervis emphasized the implications of these findings, stating: "Our research shows that species suffering from severe decline due to this disease can still recover. They have the tools to fight infection—it just depends on timing."[1]
The discovery opens new avenues for medical research, as Professor Alethea Tabor noted that many human pharmaceuticals originated from natural sources, such as penicillin derived from fungi.[1] The work was supported by funding from the UK Natural Environment Research Council and the Leverhulme Trust.[1]