Analysis of a novel cell-cell contact-dependent signaling pathway in antiviral immune response

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K15725
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Immunology
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (2018); Osaka University (2017)
• Principal Investigator: Kumagai Yutaro 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 生命工学領域, 主任研究員 (00528408)
• Research Collaborator: Trost Nina
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 抗ウイルス免疫応答 / I型インターフェロン / 細胞間接触

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We found a novel cell-cell contact dependent mechanism which controls production of type I interferon, a cytokine important for antiviral immune response. We investigated molecular mechanism of the cell-cell contact dependent signaling. Molecules inducing the cell-cell contact signaling, required downstream molecules, and gene expression program evoked by the signaling have been elucidated.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

IFNの制御は抗ウイルス自然免疫応答のみならず、IFNのアジュバントとしての機能に関連した獲得免疫系の制御、自己免疫疾患への関与など非常に重要であり、今回の研究によって明らかになった新規の分子機構により今までできなかった治療、予防等へ繋がる可能性がある。