Searching and functional analysis of an intracellular DNA sensor

• Project/Area Number: 23890088
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Immunology
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: MOTANI Kou 京都大学, 医学研究科, 研究員 (70609049)
• Project Period (FY): 2011 – 2012
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2012)
• Budget Amount: ¥3,250,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥750,000); Fiscal Year 2012: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2011: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000)
• Keywords: STING / 自然免疫 / 免疫学

Research Abstract

Accumulation of undigested self-DNA in cells causes chronic inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the mechanism in which undigested self-DNA is recognized and causes inflammation. To identify an unknown intracellular DNA senor, cells were screened and I obtained cell clones which produced high amount of inflammatory cytokines in response to DNA. Moreover, I found that STING molecule was activated by DNA and required for self-DNA-induced inflammatory response.