The role of TET proteins in stability and function of regulatory T cells.

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K19135
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Immunology
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Nakatsukasa Hiroko 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 特別研究員(PD) (90749334)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 制御性T細胞 / エピジェネティクス / 自己免疫疾患 / TET

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in regulating immune responses and maintaining immunological tolerance. Although DNA demethylation has been proposed to be essential for the stable expression of Foxp3, a master regulator of Treg, actual contribution of DNA demethylating enzymes (Tet family proteins) in Treg stability and function remain to be elucidated. In this study, we analyzed T cell- or Treg-specific Tet2/3-deficient mice and found that Tet2/3 play important roles in the differentiation, stability and function of T cells and Tregs through regulating DNA demethylation. Furthermore, we have successfully induced region-specific demethylation in Foxp3 gene locus.

Free Research Field

免疫学