Frequency and function of regulatory T cell subpopulation of biliary atresia

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K10917
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Pediatric surgery
• Research Institution: Chiba University
• Principal Investigator: Saito Takeshi 千葉大学, 大学院医学研究院, 准教授 (20406044)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 幡野 雅彦 千葉大学, 大学院医学研究院, 教授 (20208523) ; 吉田 英生 千葉大学, 大学院医学研究院, 教授 (60210712) ; 坂本 明美 千葉大学, バイオメディカル研究センター, 准教授 (90359597)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): SHIBATA Ryouhei 千葉大学, 医学部附属病院, 医員 (90748766) ; OITA Satoru 千葉大学, 医学部附属病院, 医員 (90813543)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 制御性T細胞 / 胆道閉鎖症 / 自然免疫 / 小児外科学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the frequency and function of Treg subpopulation in the systemic and local cellular immunity, using not only generally accepted Treg marker (CD4, CD25, FoxP3) but also additional markers (CD45RA, CD127, and Helios). Even though no difference was found in the frequency and lymphocyte suppression capacity of CD4+CD25+FoxP3 cells found both in the systemic and local immunological environment between BA group and control group, those of CD4+CD25+CD45RA-CD127- cells were significantly lower in BA group than control group. In terms of hepatic immune environment, the frequency of CD4+CD25+FoxP3 cells did not yield significant difference between the groups, while that of CD4+CD25+CD45RA-CD127- cells was significantly lower than the control group. Thus, Treg subpopulation may be showing the different immunological behavior from conventional CD4+CD25+ Treg cells, possibly leading to the etiology and pathology of BA.

Free Research Field

小児肝胆道疾患