Molecular mechanisms of memory T cell differentiation by co-stimulatory molecules

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20771
• 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: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: MORI Daiki 大阪大学, 感染症総合教育研究拠点, 特任助教(常勤) (50907508)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: T細胞 / 免疫記憶 / シグナル伝達

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Co-stimulatory molecules expressed on T cells are an important group of molecules that regulate T cell differentiation and survival. Investigating the mechanisms of T cell activation by co-stimulatory molecules is one of the important issues for the development of efficient vaccines. Previously we investigated the molecules involving co-stimulatory signals by affinity purification followed by mass-spectorometry, and found novel interacting partners of PI3K. In this research, we attempted to establish an experimental method to disrupt genes of interest on T cells in vitro, and analyze their functions in vivo using adoptive T cell transfer experiments. Although further studies on the gene deletion method were needed, we succeeded in setting up an experimental method to transfer T cells and evaluate their in vivo responses.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、今後申請者がT細胞の補助刺激分子シグナル経路の解析を行うために必須の実験系の樹立などを行うことに成功した。T細胞に発現する補助刺激分子はT細胞の分化・生存を司る重要な分子群である。また、近年では補助刺激分子シグナルの違いは、T細胞の記憶細胞への分化や抗体産生を促す濾胞性ヘルパーT細胞の分化に影響を与えることが明らかとなってきている。今後の遂行状況次第では、T細胞の記憶細胞への分化機構などの新規メカニズムの解明などが期待できる。そのため、より効率良く免疫記憶を誘導できるワクチン法の開発などに貢献できる可能性もある。