Immunology and Inflammation

Professor: HIROTA Keiji

Type 3 immunity, mediated by interleukin (IL)-23 and inflammatory helper T (Th17) cells, protects the host against pathogens by maintaining the mucosal barrier; however, when its regulation breaks down, it drives chronic inflammation in a wide variety of organs. Our laboratory works to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which type 3 immunity drives tissue inflammation. Our scope is broad—spanning infectious diseases, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, lifestyle-related diseases, cancer, transplantation immunity, and neurodegenerative diseases—and we seek to define both the principles common to these conditions and the features specific to each. Our goal is to develop ways to control disease-specific inflammation and to translate these insights into new strategies for diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords

Type 3 immunity, Th17 cells, Chronic inflammation, Disease models, Immune regulation

Contact

Professor:HIROTA Keiji
E-mail:hkeijiokayama-u.ac.jp