Multi-omics analysis of induction mechanism of sjogren syndrome

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24689068
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Pathobiological dentistry/Dental radiology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: YAMADA Akiko 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(歯学系), 助教 (70452646)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 自己免疫 / シェーグレン症候群 / 制御性T細胞 / 多層的オミックス解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neonatal thymectomy in certain mouse strains is known to induce autoimmunity due to impaired functions of T cells, including Treg cells. The precise mechanism underlying the induction of autoimmunity by neonatal thymectomy remains unclear. We examined the functions of Treg cells by using a murine Sjogren syndrome model of NFS/sld mice that underwent neonatal thymectomy. The ratio of Treg cells to effector memory phenotype T cells in thymectomy mice was significantly lower than that of nonthymectomy mice. In addition, in vitro induction of peripherally induced Treg cells by TGF-β using naive T cells from Sjogren syndrome model mice was severely impaired. In addition, Treg cells in this Sjogren syndrome model exhibited an interferon-γ producing Th1-like phenotype that resembled effector T cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that abnormal expansion and differentiation of Treg cells and inflammatory cytokines produced by Treg cells contribute to the development of autoimmunity.

Free Research Field

免疫学、病理学