Molecular mechanisms of immune memory maintenance corresponding to the risk of reinfection

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K21356
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 42:Veterinary medical science, animal science, and related fields
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: TAKADA KENSUKE 北海道大学, 獣医学研究院, 准教授 (40570073)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-07-30 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 免疫記憶 / T細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The detailed mechanism of immunological memory, which is the basic principle of vaccines, has not yet been elucidated. The body of immunological memory is the memory lymphocytes that are maintained in the body for a long period of time after antigen-specific activation. Dmrt4 is a novel transcription factor and its involvement in the immune system has not been reported. In this study, based on our own finding that Dmrt4 is highly expressed in CD8 + memory T lymphocytes, we investigated the role of Dmrt4 in memory T lymphocytes. Through this research project, we have obtained potentially interesting preliminary findings that will lead to future development of the research. However, it is still necessary to fully confirm the reproducibility of the experimental results regarding the effects on the phenotype, function and gene expression of memory T lymphocytes.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

過去に感染した病原体の再感染に対し、免疫系はより素早く強力に応答する（免疫記憶）。免疫記憶の本体は抗原特異的な応答の後、体内で長期間維持される記憶リンパ球である。とりわけCD8+ 記憶Tリンパ球は、ウイルスや細菌、腫瘍細胞に対する防御に重要な役割を果たす。本研究から、免疫系での役割が不明な新規転写因子がCD8+ 記憶Tリンパ球の制御に関与する可能性が示唆された。現時点では予備的知見の域を出ないものの、今後検討を重ねることで、免疫記憶の基本原理の解明とともにワクチンや免疫療法の開発に貢献することが期待される。