Regulation of the hematopoietic system by the innate lymphoid cells

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17830
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 54010:Hematology and medical oncology-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Asada Noboru 岡山大学, 大学病院, 助教 (70803055)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 自然リンパ球 / 造血幹細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Innate lymphoid cells (referred to as ILC) control organ functions by releasing various cytokines, although they are in small numbers in each organ. In this study, we analyzed the ILC in the bone marrow, which is the site of ILC development and differentiation, and examined the function of the ILC in the regulation of hematopoiesis. Among various ILCs, ILC-2P, which is a precursor cell of ILC-2, is abundant in the bone marrow, and these cells remain even after irradiation. We found a temporary increase prior to the recovery of the hematopoietic stem cells (cells that are the source of all hematopoietic cells) after the myelosuppression induced by irradiation. These results suggest that ILC-2P in bone marrow plays a role for promoting the recovery of hematopoiesis after hematopoietic stresses (anticancer agents, radiation, etc.) by some mechanism.

Free Research Field

造血幹細胞

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ILCと血液疾患との関わりといった視点で見ると、ILCは骨髄移植後の腸管を標的とした移植片対宿主病を和らげる作用を持つことや、血液悪性腫瘍である、急性骨髄性白血病や形質細胞性腫瘍の患者では、血液中あるいは骨髄中ILCに変化をみとめ、ILCが治療対象となる可能性が報告されている。しかしながら、ILCの造血制御全体における働き、とりわけ造血幹細胞やその機能を支える骨髄中の細胞との関連は明らかにされておらず、本研究結果は、自然免疫システムによる新たな造血幹細胞制御機構の解明や治療法の開発につながる可能性がある。