Mechanism of immune memory regulation of follicular helper T cells by Bob1

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20764
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0803:Pathology, infection/immunology, and related fields
• Research Institution: Sapporo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Ikegami Ippei 札幌医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (80837021)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Tfh細胞 / Bob1 / メモリーTfh細胞 / 免疫記憶 / 液性免疫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Abnormalities in the production of antigen-specific antibodies are the background of immune intractable diseases such as autoimmune and allergic diseases. To better understand these diseases, I focused on follicular helper T (Tfh) cells. Tfh cells regulate B cell function within secondary lymphoid tissue germinal centers and contribute to antigen-specific antibody production. In this study, I investigated the mechanism of Bob1, which is highly expressed in Tfh cells. It is revealed that Bob1 regulates the number of Tfh cells and the expression of immune checkpoint molecules, thereby modulating the humoral immune response. Furthermore, Bob1 is involved in the development of memory Tfh cells, suggesting that it is required for the regulatory mechanism of memory Tfh cells.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ヒトおよびマウスTfh細胞にBob1が高発現する事実はこれまで報告があったが、本研究にてBob1によるTfh細胞の機能制御機構の詳細が初めて明らかになった。特に、Bob1がメモリーTfh細胞の数的制御を調節することから、自己免疫疾患やアレルギー疾患など、これまでメモリーTfh細胞との関係が報告されていた疾患について、Tfh細胞におけるBob1の多寡が診断マーカーや治療標的分子となり得る可能性を示した。