Budget Amount *help |
¥534,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥411,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥123,450,000)
Fiscal Year 2020: ¥78,260,000 (Direct Cost: ¥60,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥18,060,000)
Fiscal Year 2019: ¥89,180,000 (Direct Cost: ¥68,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥20,580,000)
Fiscal Year 2018: ¥117,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥90,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥27,000,000)
Fiscal Year 2017: ¥99,450,000 (Direct Cost: ¥76,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥22,950,000)
Fiscal Year 2016: ¥151,060,000 (Direct Cost: ¥116,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥34,860,000)
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Outline of Final Research Achievements |
This project has attempted to elucidate the molecular basis of immunosuppressive function and development of regulatory T cells (Tregs). In particular, we clarified that regulation of genomic structures at the Foxp3 locus based on Treg-specific epigenome is essential for early development of Tregs in the thymus. We also showed that functionally stable Tregs can be efficiently induced from antigen-specific conventional T cells by removal of certain signaling pathways. This enables a novel immunotherapy with functionally stable induced Tregs. We also proved that selective depletion of tumor-infiltrating effector Tregs, which hamper effective anti-tumor immunity, can evoke and enhance anti-tumor immune responses. In addition, we found that autoimmune disease-associated SNPs are frequently accumulated in the Treg-specific DNA demethylation regions in human Tregs, suggesting the importance of genetic variations in Treg function for determining genetic susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.
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