The significance of regulatory T cells in the brain

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16618
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 49030:Experimental pathology-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Ito Minako 九州大学, 生体防御医学研究所, 准教授 (70793115)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 脳梗塞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

More than two weeks after the onset of cerebral infarction, the brain of mice was infiltrated with a much larger number of T cells than in the acute phase, especially with a large accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg). The brain Treg also showed brain-specific properties. In the EAE model, where both the spinal cord and brain are affected, the phenotypes of Treg in the spinal cord and brain are different, and the brain Treg are similar to those of Treg infiltrated in the infarcted brain. The brain Treg was close to the characteristics of the Treg infiltrated in the brain of cerebral infarction. These results suggest that tissue Treg may acquire properties depending on the environment of the localized tissue rather than the pathology.

Free Research Field

神経免疫

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

脳梗塞後の脳内に存在する制御性T細胞は、損傷した組織を修復する働きを持っていることが分かった。このように脳組織の修復を促す脳特異的Tregを誘導するメカニズムを解明することで新規治療法を開発出来る可能性がある。