Effects of polyphenol intake on RALDH2 expression and intestinal immunity

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K15275
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Food science
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Science
• Principal Investigator: Yashiro Takuya 東京理科大学, 基礎工学部生物工学科, 助教 (00726482)
• Research Collaborator: WATANUKI Yumi ; YAMAGUCHI Masaki ; KASAKURA Kazumi ; NISHIYAMA Chiharu
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: ケンフェロール / AhR / RALDH2

Outline of Final Research Achievements

RALDH2, which is specifically expressed in intestinal dendritic cells, is a retinoic acid synthetase and is essential for induction of immune tolerance for foods. In this study, we identified kaempferol as a food ingredient that enhances RALDH2 expression. We demonstrated that the expression of RALDH2 is negatively regulated by the transcription factor AhR, and that kaempferol increases the expression of RALDH2 by inhibiting the function of AhR.

Free Research Field

食品免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

食物アレルギーの対処法は、アレルゲン食品の除去が一般的であったが、昨今、アレルゲン食品を少量ずつ食べ続けることで耐性獲得を目指す経口免疫寛容法に注目が集まっている。ケンフェロールを摂取すると、腸管樹状細胞でのRALDH2発現が亢進し、経口免疫寛容成立に対して補助的な機能を発揮することが期待される。