Elucidation of the mechanisms of TRAs expression independently of Aire

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26670231
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Immunology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Takaba Hiroyuki 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 特任助教 (50637444)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): TAKAYANAGI Hiroshi 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 教授 (20334229)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: T細胞 / 免疫寛容

Outline of Final Research Achievements

T cell repertoire selection in the thymus comprises the positive and negative selection in the cortex and medulla, respectively. A promiscuous expression of a wide array of self-antigens in the thymus is essential for the negative selection of self-reactive T cells and the regulatory T cell development, which are crucial for the establishment of central tolerance. Aire was thought to be the exclusive factor regulating the expression of tissue-restricted antigens, but Fezf2 emerged as a transcription factor playing a key role in this regulation. Fezf2 is selectively expressed in thymic medullary epithelial cells and suppresses the onset of autoimmune reactions.

Free Research Field

免疫