Laboratory for Immune Cell System

The immune system plays a critical role in the host defense against invading microbes. Immune reactions are also involved in the onset and pathophysiology of many diseases including allergic and autoimmune diseases. Different types of immune cells interact with each other in order to induce complex immune reactions. We elucidate the immune cell network in order to understand how immune cells induce complex immune reactions in our body. We currently focus on an innate lymphocyte population that we identified. We have identified a new lymphoid tissue in mouse and human mesentery and termed this tissue fat-associated lymphoid cluster (FALC). We discovered in the FALC a new innate lymphocyte subset producing of Th2 cytokines and named this new lymphocyte "Natural Helper (NH) Cell". NH cells support the proliferation of B1 cells in the peritoneal cavity and induce goblet cell hyperplasia during the innate phase of nematode infection. NH cells also play a role in allergic diseases. We aim to understand the role of NH cells in our immune system.

Research Fields

Biology & Biochemistry / Molecular Biology & Genetics / Immunology / Microbiology

Research Subjects

• Role of natural helper cell innate immune system
• Mechanisms of immune cell differentiation
• Innate immune system

Publications

1. Moro, K., Yamada, T., Tanabe, M., Takeuchi, T., Ikawa, T., Kawamoto, H., Furusawa, J.-I., Ohtani, M., Fujii, H. and Koyasu, S.:
   "Innate production of T_H2 cytokines by adipose tissue-associated c-Kit⁺Sca-1⁺ lymphoid cells."
   Nature 463: 540-544 (2010).
2. Ohtani, M., Nagai, S., Kondo, S., Mizuno, S., Nakamura, K., Tanabe, M., Takeuchi, T., Matsuda, S. and Koyasu, S.:
   "Mammalian target of rapamycin and glycogen synthase kinase 3 differentially regulate LPS-induced IL-12 production in dendritic cells."
   Blood 112: 635-643 (2008).
3. Nagai, S., Mimuro, H., Yamada, T., Baba, Y., Moro, K., Nochi, T., Kiyono, H., Suzuki, T., Sasakawa, C. and Koyasu, S.:
   "Role of Peyer's patches in Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis."
   Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104: 8971-8976 (2007).
4. Ohteki, T., Tada, H., Ishida, K., Sato, T., Maki, C., Yamada, T., Hamuro, J. and Koyasu, S.:
   "Essential roles of DC-derived IL-15 as a mediator of inflammatory responses in vivo."
   J. Exp. Med. 203: 2329-2338 (2006).
5. Suzuki, H., Matsuda, S., Terauchi, Y., Fujiwara, M., Ohteki, T., Asano, T., Behrens, T. W., Kouro, T., Takatsu, K., Kadowaki, T. and Koyasu, S.:
   "PI3K and Btk differentially regulate B cell antigen receptor mediated signal transduction."
   Nat. Immunol. 4: 280-286 (2003).
6. Fukao, T., Tanabe, M., Terauchi, Y., Ota, T., Matsuda, S., Asano, T., Kadowaki, T., Takeuchi, T. and Koyasu, S.:
   "PI3K-mediated negative feedback regulation of IL-12 production in dendritic cells."
   Nat. Immunol. 3: 875-881 (2002).
7. Fukao, T., Yamada, T., Tanabe, M., Terauchi, Y., Ota, T., Takayama, T., Asano, T., Takeuchi, T., Kadowaki, T., Hata, J. and Koyasu, S.:
   "Selective loss of gastrointestinal mast cells and impaired immunity in PI3K-deficient mice."
   Nat. Immunol. 3: 295-304 (2002).
8. Ohteki, T., Suzue, K., Maki, C., Ota, T., and Koyasu, S.:
   "Critical role of IL-15-IL-15R for antigen-presenting cell functions in the innate immune response."
   Nat. Immunol. 2: 1138-1143 (2001).
9. Ohteki, T., Fukao, T., Suzue, K., Maki, C., Ito, M., Nakamura, M. and Koyasu, S.:
   "Interleukin-12 dependent interferon-γ production by CD8α⁺ lymphoid dendritic cells."
   J. Exp. Med. 189: 1981-1986 (1999).
10. Suzuki, H., Terauchi, Y. Fujiwara, M., Aizawa, S., Yazaki, Y., Kadowaki, T. and Koyasu, S.:
    "Xid-like immunodeficiency in mice with disruption of the p85α subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase."
    Science 283: 390-392 (1999).