Investigation of vaccine efficacy using a mouse model of T-cell early senescence

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K08492
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54030:Infectious disease medicine-related
• Research Institution: Ehime University
• Principal Investigator: Matsumoto Akira 愛媛大学, 医学系研究科, 講師 (90363233)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Menin / ワクチン / Tfh

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Menin deficient T cells exhibit early senescence, making them suitable as a tool for immunosenescence analysis. Mice deficient in T cell-specific Menin showed decreased antigen-specific antibody production capacity. In addition to analyzing the molecular mechanism of the reduced antibody production capacity, we examined whether antibody production capacity could be improved by administering to mice a small molecule compound that was able to suppress premature senescence of T cells in vitro, but no significant improvement was observed.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

免疫系細胞の中でもT細胞は加齢の影響を特に強く受け、高齢者の体内では老化T細胞が増加することが示されている。老化T細胞は、記憶T細胞への分化能が著しく低下することから、高齢者におけるワクチン有効率の低下は、老化T細胞の増加が原因であると考えられる。そのため、T細胞の老化誘導機構を解明し、その制御法を見出すための研究は、ワクチン有効率を改善することに大きく貢献できる可能性がある。