Analysis of the differentiation and maturation mechanisms of T cells in thymus and lymph node mediated by AIRE-expressing dendritic cells

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16287
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 49070:Immunology-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: MIYAZAWA Ryuichiro 徳島大学, 先端酵素学研究所, 助教 (70848374)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: AIRE / 自己免疫疾患 / 樹状細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

AIRE is a transcriptional regulator that is strongly expressed in the medullary epithelial cells of the thymus. However, there is growing evidence of weak AIRE expression in peripheral tissues. In this study, we focused on the function of AIRE in dendritic cells, which are important for immune regulation, and conducted analyses of Th17 induction capacity and gene expression changes during Candida infection. We found that AIRE-expressing dendritic cells did not show significant alterations in localization, immune response (Th17), or gene expression even in the absence of AIRE. These research findings suggest that AIRE has distinct functions in dendritic cells compared to thymic medullary epithelial cells and that its functionality is relatively limited compared to its role in the thymic epithelial cells.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

胸腺髄質上皮細胞で発現するAIREは、免疫システムの根幹である自己・非自己の教育を行う重要な遺伝子であり、その機能の全容解明が求められている。本研究において樹状細胞におけるAIREの機能を示したことは、AIREに関する知見の拡充に繋がると考えられる。更に、AIRE欠損症を始め多くの免疫疾患では、カンジダを始めとする常在細菌への感染が認められるが、AIRE欠損症における口腔カンジダ症に対する新たな治療に繋がる可能性がある。