An acquired immune system involved in the tissue remodeling through self antigens

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23370059
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Functional biochemistry
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: IZUTSU YUMI 新潟大学, 自然科学系, 准教授 (20301921)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): IWABUCHI Kazuya 北里大学, 医学部, 教授 (20184898) ; ITO Michihiko 北里大学, 理学部, 准教授 (90240994) ; OKA Atsuko 日本医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (50175254)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): MAENO Mitsugu 新潟大学, 自然科学系, 教授 (10190315)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: タンパク質 / 発現制御 / 発生・分化 / 細胞・組織 / 免疫学 / 両生類 / アポトーシス / T細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Vertebrate ontogenesis, including Xenopus frogs, shows morphological changes from embryonic- (larval-) organs into the adult counterparts. This process is called tissue remodeling. The most drastic remodeling is seen in the tadpole tail regression during amphibian metamorphosis. We have previously proposed a new model that the adult-type immune cells, which are newly differentiated during metamorphosis, recognize and remove own tail tissues as non-self. We have isolated two genes encoding the antigen proteins, Ouro1 and Ouro2, as targets for adult immune T cells. In this study, to clarify function of T cells vs these Ouro1 and Ouro2 antigens, we analyzed gain- and loss-of function of T cells. Results suggest that T cells are nessesorry and sufficient for the regression of tadpole tails expressing both Ouro1 and Ouro2 antigen proteins.

Free Research Field

発生生物学・免疫生物学