インフルエンザウイルスの光触媒による感染防御への道筋 ――光触媒でインフルエンザウイルスのマウスへの感染を阻止――

2026-04-07 東京大学

マウスモデルにおける光触媒によるインフルエンザウイルスの不活化

＜関連情報＞

• https://www.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp/topics/topics_20260407-2.html
• https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/16/4/337

光触媒式空気清浄機を用いたマウスにおける空気感染性インフルエンザウイルスの不活化 Inactivation of Airborne Influenza Virus in Mice Using a Photocatalytic Air Purifier

Fumihiro Nagata,Ryosuke Matsuura,Noriko Fukushi,Yasunobu Matsumoto^,,Takashi Fukushima,Kazuhiro Fujimoto,Masato Kozaki,Junichi Somei and Yoko Aida
Catalysis  Published: 7 April 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16040337

Abstract

Aerosols are a major transmission route for seasonal influenza infections. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalyst has broad-spectrum antiviral activity, including in vitro influenza virus inactivation; however, whether the TiO₂ photocatalyst can effectively inactivate airborne influenza A viruses in vivo under conditions that mimic natural aerosol transmission remains unclear. Here, we evaluated in vivo inactivation of airborne H1N1 seasonal influenza virus by a photocatalyst-equipped air purifier using a mouse model. Influenza virus WSN strain aerosols were sprayed in a 60 L acrylic box with a nebulizer, circulated through a photocatalyst-equipped air purifier, exposed to BALB/c mice for 40 min after circulation, and subsequently collected with an air sampler. Thirty minutes of TiO₂ photocatalyst treatment reduced influenza virus infectivity by 99.97%, and significantly lowered lung viral titer in mice on day 3 post-infection. Over 14 days post-infection, mice showed no >10% weight loss, 100% survival, and disease progression to the PBS (−) aerosol group. This suggests that the photocatalyst-equipped air purifier may reduce H1N1 seasonal influenza onset, preventing viral spread.