Elucidation of the mechanism of memory T cell differentiation by vitamin C through upregulation of Galectin3

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K15488
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 49070:Immunology-related
• Research Institution: Shiga University of Medical Science
• Principal Investigator: Kondo Kenta 滋賀医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (60779974)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: CD8+ T細胞 / ビタミンC / エピゲノム / DNA脱メチル化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we evaluated the effect of vitamin C on CD8+ T cells. We found that vitamin C treatment enhances the immune responses of CD8+ T cells against pathogens and cancer. To investigate the mechanism by which vitamin C enhances the immune responses of CD8+ T cells, we knocked down the Galectin3 expression in vitamin C-treated CD8+ T cells. However, the knockdown of Galectin3 could not attenuate the effect of vitamin C on CD8+ T cells. Therefore, we screened for genes whose expression is altered by vitamin C. Eventually, we identified the transcription factor Batf3. The knockdown of Batf3 attenuated the effect of vitamin C on CD8+ T cells. In addition, transduction of Batf3 enhanced the immune responses of CD8+ T cells as well as vitamin C treatment.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、ビタミンCはBatf3の発現増加を介してCD8+ T細胞の免疫応答を亢進させるという新たな生理学的役割を明らかにすることが出来た。本研究成果は、CD8+ T細胞の免疫応答やビタミンCの生理学的役割の理解と同時に、ビタミンCを利用した免疫療法の開発に繋がることが期待される。