Investigate the potential involvement of the immune system in the regulation of lipolysis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H03388
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Misawa Takuma 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 生命医科学研究センター, 研究員 (20880694)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 自然リンパ球（ILC） / 絶食 / 脂肪酸 / ケトン体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We initially aimed to investigate the potential involvement of immune system in the regulation of lipolysis. However, we were not able to make any conclusion as phenotype of lipolysis differed between adipose tissues. Ketone bodies are metabolites synthesized in the liver as an alternative energy to glucose during fasting. Further analysis revealed that immune cells so called innate lymphoid cells are closely involved in the regulation of ketogenesis.

Free Research Field

免疫代謝学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

当初の予定にはなかった方向に研究が進展したものの、免疫系がケトン体の合成制御において重要な役割を担うことが明らかとなった。これは代謝系と免疫系の関係に新たな視点をもたらす重要な発見だと言える。ケトン体は糖質の代替エネルギーとして機能するだけでなく、感染防御応答の活性化や高次脳機能の向上など人体にとって有益な生理機能を数多く発揮するため、今後の研究により得られる知見は幅広い分野への応用が期待できる。