Molecular characterization of whole thymic stromal cells

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H03485
• 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: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Takeshi Nitta 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 准教授 (30373343)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 免疫学 / 胸腺 / T細胞 / 線維芽細胞 / 自己免疫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

T cells develop in the thymus, where various stromal cells control the development and repertoire selection of immature T cells. Here we identified and characterized whole thymic stromal cells, including as yet uncharacterized cell types such as thymic mesenchymal cells. In particular, we found a novel subset of fibroblasts in the thymic medulla and revealed that these medullary fibroblasts play important roles in the induction of T cell self-tolerance (prevention of autoimmunity). The results of this study are expected to make a significant contribution to the understanding of the function of various types of fibroblasts in vivo as well as the etiology of autoimmune diseases.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

T細胞は私たちの免疫系の司令塔であり、その抗原認識能力がつくられる基本的なしくみを理解することは、感染症やがん、自己免疫疾患の治療の観点から重要な課題である。本研究では、T細胞の抗原認識を決定づける胸腺微小環境のはたらきについて研究し、新たに見出した髄質線維芽細胞がT細胞の教育と自己免疫の防止に重要であることを明らかにした。本成果を手がかりとして、自己免疫疾患の原因解明や治療法開発につながると期待される。