Shizuo Akira

Bio: Shizuo Akira is an academic researcher from Osaka University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Innate immune system & Immune system. The author has an hindex of 261, co-authored 1308 publications receiving 320561 citations. Previous affiliations of Shizuo Akira include University of California, Berkeley & Wakayama Medical University.

Induction of Direct Antimicrobial Activity Through Mammalian Toll-Like Receptors

Abstract: The mammalian innate immune system retains from Drosophila a family of homologous Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that mediate responses to microbial ligands. Here, we show that TLR2 activation leads to killing of intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis in both mouse and human macrophages, through distinct mechanisms. In mouse macrophages, bacterial lipoprotein activation of TLR2 leads to a nitric oxide-dependent killing of intracellular tubercle bacilli, but in human monocytes and alveolar macrophages, this pathway was nitric oxide-independent. Thus, mammalian TLRs respond (as Drosophila Toll receptors do) to microbial ligands and also have the ability to activate antimicrobial effector pathways at the site of infection.

Toll-like receptor 2 controls expansion and function of regulatory T cells.

Abstract: Tregs play a central role in the suppression of immune reactions and prevention of autoimmune responses harmful to the host. During acute infection, however, Tregs might hinder effector T cell activity directed toward the elimination of the pathogenic challenge. Pathogen recognition receptors from the TLR family expressed by innate immune cells are crucial for the generation of effective immunity. We have recently shown the CD4CD25 Treg subset in TLR2 mice to be significantly reduced in number compared with WT littermate control mice, indicating a link between Tregs and TLR2. Here, we report that the TLR2 ligand Pam3Cys, but not LPS (TLR4) or CpG (TLR9), directly acts on purified Tregs in a MyD88-dependent fashion. Moreover, when combined with TCR stimulation, TLR2 triggering augmented Treg proliferation in vitro and in vivo and resulted in a temporal loss of the suppressive Treg phenotype in vitro by directly affecting Tregs. Importantly, WT Tregs adoptively transferred into TLR2 mice were neutralized by systemic administration of TLR2 ligand during the acute phase of a Candida albicans infection, resulting in a 100-fold reduced C. albicans outgrowth. This demonstrates that in vivo TLR2 also controls the function of Tregs and establishes a direct link between TLRs and the control of immune responses through Tregs.

Defective adipocyte differentiation in mice lacking the C/EBPβ and/or C/EBPδ gene

Abstract: To investigate the role of C/EBP family members during adipocyte differentiation in vivo, we have generated mice lacking the C/EBPbeta and/or C/EBPdelta by gene targeting. Approximately 85% of C/EBPbeta(-/-).delta(-/-) mice died at the early neonatal stage. By 20 h after birth, brown adipose tissue of the interscapular region in wild-type mice contained many lipid droplets, whereas C/EBPbeta(-/-).delta(-/-) mice did not accumulate droplets. In addition, the epidydimal fat pad weight of surviving adult C/EBPbeta(-/-).delta(-/-) mice was significantly reduced compared with wild-type mice. However, these adipose tissues in C/EBPbeta(-/-).delta(-/-) mice exhibit normal expression of C/EBPalpha and PPARgamma, despite impaired adipogenesis. These results demonstrated that C/EBPbeta and C/EBPdelta have a synergistic role in terminal adipocyte differentiation in vivo. The induction of C/EBPalpha and PPARgamma does not always require C/EBPbeta and C/EBPdelta, but co-expression of C/EBPalpha and PPARgamma is not sufficient for complete adipocyte differentiation in the absence of C/EBPbeta and C/EBPdelta.

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

Safety and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine.

Abstract: Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the resulting coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) have afflicted tens of millions of people in a world...

Cancer-related inflammation.

Abstract: The mediators and cellular effectors of inflammation are important constituents of the local environment of tumours. In some types of cancer, inflammatory conditions are present before a malignant change occurs. Conversely, in other types of cancer, an oncogenic change induces an inflammatory microenvironment that promotes the development of tumours. Regardless of its origin, 'smouldering' inflammation in the tumour microenvironment has many tumour-promoting effects. It aids in the proliferation and survival of malignant cells, promotes angiogenesis and metastasis, subverts adaptive immune responses, and alters responses to hormones and chemotherapeutic agents. The molecular pathways of this cancer-related inflammation are now being unravelled, resulting in the identification of new target molecules that could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment.