Identification and analysis of the niches for helper memory T cells

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H04742
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Immunology
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: ISHII Naoto 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (60291267)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 宗 孝紀 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 准教授 (60294964)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 記憶T細胞 / ニッチ / 腸管膜リンパ節

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Accumulating evidence suggests that mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) play important roles in gut-tropic Th17 cell generation, although it is still unclear if MLNs are involved in the pathogenesis of small intestinal inflammation. To address this issue, we analyzed the roles of both MLNs and Peyer’s patches (PPs) by evaluating MLN- or PP-deficient mice in an experimental model of small intestinal inflammation. MLNs, but not PPs, were essential for the pathogenesis of the intestinal inflammation, in particular the accumulation and infiltration of Th17 cells. Furthermore, MLN removal led to a significantly reduced number of peripheral α4β7+ CD4+ effector memory T (TEM) cells under normal conditions, suggesting that MLNs may play a role in maintaining the number of gut-tropic Th17-TEM cells circulating in the blood. Taken together, the present study highlights the important role of MLNs in contributing to the pathogenesis of small intestinal inflammation.

Free Research Field

免疫学