Analysis of physiological function of C-type lectin receptor and application to disease control

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18H02671
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49070:Immunology-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Science
• Principal Investigator: Iwakura Yoichiro 東京理科大学, 研究推進機構生命医科学研究所, 教授 (10089120)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 唐 策 東京理科大学, 研究推進機構生命医科学研究所, 客員教授 (00572166) ; 島津 朋之 宮城大学, 食産業学群, 助教 (20616437)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: C型レクチン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to analyze the function of C-type lectin Receptors (CLRs) using gene-deficient mice and find clues for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancers. We showed that CLRs play important roles in the development of colitis and colorectal tumors. Furthermore, we showed that Treg cells induced in DECTIN-1-deficient mouse colon through modification of intestinal microbiota suppress inflammation not only in the intestinal tract but also in lungs, suggesting that intestinal Tregs can migrate into other organs to suppress inflammation (Han et al., J. Immunol., 2021). We also analyzed the detailed mechanism of autoimmunity in DCIR-deficient mice, and showed that DC differentiation and antigen-presenting ability are enhanced in the mutant mice (Kaifu et al., under revision). From these analyses, we could show the roles of CLRs in inflammation and tumorigenesis and found clues to treat these diseases.

Free Research Field

免疫

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでの解析を基に、CLRファミリーメンバーの生体内での役割とその分子メカニズムを検討し、これらの分子が免疫制御や発癌制御に重要な役割を果たしていることを明らかにした。今後、これらの分子に対する抗体、阻害剤、促進剤などを用いて、自己免疫(関節リウマチや多発性硬化症)やアレルギー(喘息)、癌等に対する予防、治療薬の開発や、機能性食品の開発に繋げたい。