Control mechanisms of regulatory T cell homeostasis by ERM proteins

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07621
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49070:Immunology-related
• Research Institution: Shiga University of Medical Science
• Principal Investigator: Hirata Takako 滋賀医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (00346199)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 自己免疫疾患 / 制御性T細胞 / ERMタンパク質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

One of the mechanisms for maintaining immune homeostasis is immunosuppression by regulatory T cells (Tregs). In addition to the well-known CD4-positive Tregs, there exist CD8-positive cell lineages (CD8 Tregs) that have immunosuppressive activity. In this research project, we found that among mouse CD8 T cells expressing CD44 and CD122, there was a fraction that binds to Qa-1 presenting self-antigen peptides, and this fraction exhibited immunosuppressive activity. We further found that this fraction showed gene expression profiles similar to those of virtual memory T cells, a subtype of T cells that have acquired memory-type phenotype without prior exposure to foreign antigens.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

自己免疫疾患や臓器移植などにおいて免疫寛容を誘導する、あるいは逆に、免疫監視を阻害することで抗腫瘍免疫を強化しようとするためにTregを標的とした応用研究が行われている。Tregを標的とする治療においては、生体内での数・機能の制御が重要である。本研究成果は、Tregの特定のサブセットの表現型と機能の一端を明らかにするものであり、Tregの生体内運命を人為的に制御することによる効率的で副作用の少ない免疫療法につながることが期待される。