Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms and physiological functions of immunomodulation by the Hippo intracellular signaling pathway

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18H02438
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 44010:Cell biology-related
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Moroishi Toshiro 熊本大学, 大学院生命科学研究部(医), 教授 (30647722)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: Hippoシグナル / 免疫応答 / 免疫原性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The immune system plays a pivotal role in preventing illness by recognizing and eliminating abnormal pathogens and cancer cells. However, the mechanism by which cells induce an immune response is not fully understood. In this research project, we focused on the Hippo intracellular signaling pathway to elucidate the mechanisms by which this pathway controls the immune response, aiming to develop therapeutic methods for diseases such as cancer. We found that suppression of the Hippo pathway in cells changes the characteristics of the surrounding immune cells through an interferon response, thereby significantly changing the immune response from immunosuppression to immunostimulation. Our study proposed a regulatory mechanism by which the Hippo pathway controls the immune system as well as its biological significance.

Free Research Field

基礎医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

免疫系は異物から自己を守る防衛機構として働いており、その機能不全は感染症やがんなどの病態、逆に機能過剰は自己免疫疾患などにつながる。本研究により得られた成果は、細胞内のシグナル伝達経路（＝信号）によって生体の免疫応答がどのように制御されるかという学術的理解を深めるだけでなく、今回解明された個々の分子機構を基盤に将来的な研究を発展させることによって、がんに対する免疫療法などの治療法開発への一助となることも期待される。