The role of IRF5 in cutaneous inflammation and malignant melanoma

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25461685
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Dermatology
• Research Institution: St. Marianna University School of Medicine (2015); The University of Tokyo (2013-2014)
• Principal Investigator: Kadono Takafumi 聖マリアンナ医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (80292910)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: IRF5 / 接触皮膚炎

Outline of Final Research Achievements

IRF5 is critical for immunity and induce the production of various inflammatory cytokines to regulate Th1-Th2 balance. In this study, we investigated the role of IRF5 for cutaneous inflammation using contact hypersensitivity model. In IRE5 deficient mice, Th1-type immune responses were significantly reduced, whereas Th2-type immune responses were significantly augmented due to the abnormality in sensitization phase. Dendritic cells are critical for sensitization and inducing immune responses. IRF5-deficient dendritic cells express less IL-12, which presumably leads to reduced Th1-type immune responses. In addition,the number of dendritic cells known to induce Th2-type immune responses were significantly augmented, which might cause increased Th2-type contact hypersensitivity. Thus, IRF5 is critical for balancing Th1-Th2 immune responses.

Free Research Field

皮膚免疫学