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.

Cutting Edge: Cooperation of IPS-1- and TRIF-Dependent Pathways in Poly IC-Enhanced Antibody Production and Cytotoxic T Cell Responses

Abstract: Double-stranded RNA, polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (poly IC), acts as an adjuvant that enhances adaptive immune responses. The recognition of poly IC is mediated by endosomal TLR3 and cytoplasmic RNA helicase melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (Mda5), which signal through the adaptors Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-β (TRIF) and IFN-β promoter stimulator-1 (IPS-1), respectively. However, the contribution of these pathways to the adjuvant effects of poly IC remains unclear. In this study, we found that poly IC-enhanced, Ag-specific Ab production was severely decreased in IPS-1-deficient mice but not in TRIF-deficient mice. However, the double deficiency resulted in a complete loss of Ab production. Furthermore, Ag-specific CD8 + T cell expansion was reduced in both IPS-1-deficient and TRIF-deficient mice and entirely abrogated in the doubly deficient mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the adjuvant effects of poly IC require a cooperative activation of TLR and cytoplasmic RNA helicase pathways.

Lipopolysaccharides from Legionella and Rhizobium stimulate mouse bone marrow granulocytes via Toll-like receptor 2

Abstract: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from enterobacteria elicit in several cell types cellular responses that are restricted in the use of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) as the principal signal-transducing molecule. A tendency to consider enterobacterial LPS as a prototypic LPS led some authors to present this mechanism as a paradigm accounting for all LPSs in all cell types. However, the structural diversity of LPS does not allow such a general statement. By using LPSs from bacteria that do not belong to the Enterobacteriaceae, we show that in bone marrow cells (BMCs) the LPS of Rhizobium species Sin-1 and of three strains of Legionella pneumophila require TLR2 rather than TLR4 to elicit the expression of CD14. In addition, exposure of BMCs from TLR4-deficient (C3H/HeJ) mice to the lipid A fragment of the Bordetella pertussis LPS inhibits their activation by the Legionella lipid A. The data show selective action of different LPSs via different TLRs, and suggest that TLR2 can interact with many lipid A structures, leading to either agonistic or specific antagonistic effects.

Novel Engagement of CD14 and Multiple Toll-Like Receptors by Group B Streptococci

Abstract: Group B streptococcus (GBS) imposes a major health threat to newborn infants. Little is known about the molecular basis of GBS-induced sepsis. Both heat-inactivated whole GBS bacteria and a heat-labile soluble factor released by GBS during growth (GBS-F) induce nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB, the secretion of TNF-alpha, and the formation of NO in mouse macrophages. Macrophages from mice with a targeted disruption of MyD88 failed to secrete TNF-alpha in response to both heat-inactivated whole bacteria and GBS-F, suggesting that Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved in different aspects of GBS recognition. Immune cell activation by whole bacteria differed profoundly from that by secreted GBS-F. Whole GBS activated macrophages independently of TLR2 and TLR6, whereas a response to the secreted GBS-F was not observed in macrophages from TLR2-deficient animals. In addition to TLR2, TLR6 and CD14 expression were essential for GBS-F responses, whereas TLR1 and TLR4 or MD-2 did not appear to be involved. Heat lability distinguished GBS-F from peptidoglycan and lipoproteins. GBS mutants deficient in capsular polysaccharide or beta-hemolysin had GBS-F activity comparable to that of wild-type streptococci. We suggest that CD14 and TLR2 and TLR6 function as coreceptors for secreted microbial products derived from GBS and that cell wall components of GBS are recognized by TLRs distinct from TLR1, 2, 4, or 6.

Persistent expression of PDX-1 in the pancreas causes acinar-to-ductal metaplasia through Stat3 activation

Abstract: The transcription factor pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor 1 (PDX-1) is expressed in pancreatic progenitor cells. In exocrine pancreas, PDX-1 is down-regulated during late development, while re-up-regulation of PDX-1 has been reported in pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis. To determine whether sustained expression of PDX-1 could affect pancreas development, PDX-1 was constitutively expressed in all pancreatic lineages by transgenic approaches. The transgenic pancreas was markedly small with the replacement of acinar cells by duct-like structures, accompanied by activated Stat3. Genetic ablation of Stat3 in the transgenic pancreas profoundly suppressed the metaplastic phenotype. These results provide a mechanism of pancreatic metaplasia by which persistent PDX-1 expression cell-autonomously induces acinar-to-ductal transition through Stat3 activation.

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.