Characterization of a novel innate immune cell-like CD8+ T cell in bacterial infection

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16641
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 49050:Bacteriology-related
• Research Institution: National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (2021); Toyama Prefectural University (2019-2020)
• Principal Investigator: Otsubo Ryota 国立研究開発法人医薬基盤・健康・栄養研究所, 医薬基盤研究所 感染症制御プロジェクト, プロジェクト研究員 (90794222)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 細菌感染症 / 免疫 / CD8+ T細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to recover from infectious diseases as quickly as possible, it is necessary to efficiently bridge from innate immunity, which removes pathogens non-specifically, to adaptive immunity, which specifically removes pathogens. In the present study, A novel innate immune cell-like CD8 + T cell was successfully identified, using a mouse model of bacterial infection. In addition, it was shown that blocking the function of the novel CD8 + T cells in infection model exacerbates and prolongs the infectious disease. In summary, these novel cells play an important role as the bridge in host immune system, resulting in early recovery from bacterial infectious diseases.

Free Research Field

細菌感染症

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

細菌感染症において、薬剤耐性菌に対する治療法の確立が急務である。しかし、細菌の感染機構は複雑であり、その治療法の確立は容易な問題ではない。本申請研究で発見した新規自然免疫細胞様CD8＋T細胞は、ヒトに元々備わっている免疫システムの一部である。この細胞群を制御することにより、抗生物質に頼らず、細菌感染症からの早期回復させる可能性があることを示した。