Takeshi Tokuhisa

Bio: Takeshi Tokuhisa is an academic researcher from Chiba University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Antigen & T cell. The author has an hindex of 50, co-authored 173 publications receiving 12788 citations.

The role of autophagy during the early neonatal starvation period

Abstract: At birth the trans-placental nutrient supply is suddenly interrupted, and neonates face severe starvation until supply can be restored through milk nutrients. Here, we show that neonates adapt to this adverse circumstance by inducing autophagy. Autophagy is the primary means for the degradation of cytoplasmic constituents within lysosomes. The level of autophagy in mice remains low during embryogenesis; however, autophagy is immediately upregulated in various tissues after birth and is maintained at high levels for 3-12 h before returning to basal levels within 1-2 days. Mice deficient for Atg5, which is essential for autophagosome formation, appear almost normal at birth but die within 1 day of delivery. The survival time of starved Atg5-deficient neonates (approximately 12 h) is much shorter than that of wild-type mice (approximately 21 h) but can be prolonged by forced milk feeding. Atg5-deficient neonates exhibit reduced amino acid concentrations in plasma and tissues, and display signs of energy depletion. These results suggest that the production of amino acids by autophagic degradation of 'self' proteins, which allows for the maintenance of energy homeostasis, is important for survival during neonatal starvation.

Dissection of Autophagosome Formation Using Apg5-Deficient Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Abstract: In macroautophagy, cytoplasmic components are delivered to lysosomes for degradation via autophagosomes that are formed by closure of cup-shaped isolation membranes. However, how the isolation membranes are formed is poorly understood. We recently found in yeast that a novel ubiquitin-like system, the Apg12-Apg5 conjugation system, is essential for autophagy. Here we show that mouse Apg12-Apg5 conjugate localizes to the isolation membranes in mouse embryonic stem cells. Using green fluorescent protein–tagged Apg5, we revealed that the cup-shaped isolation membrane is developed from a small crescent-shaped compartment. Apg5 localizes on the isolation membrane throughout its elongation process. To examine the role of Apg5, we generated Apg5-deficient embryonic stem cells, which showed defects in autophagosome formation. The covalent modification of Apg5 with Apg12 is not required for its membrane targeting, but is essential for involvement of Apg5 in elongation of the isolation membranes. We also show that Apg12-Apg5 is required for targeting of a mammalian Aut7/Apg8 homologue, LC3, to the isolation membranes. These results suggest that the Apg12-Apg5 conjugate plays essential roles in isolation membrane development.

Hematopoietic stem cells differentiate into vascular cells that participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Abstract: Excessive accumulation of smooth-muscle cells (SMCs) has a key role in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. It has been assumed that SMCs derived from the outer medial layer migrate, proliferate and synthesize extracellular matrix components on the luminal side of the vessel. Although much effort has been devoted to targeting migration and proliferation of medial SMCs, there is no effective therapy that prevents occlusive vascular remodeling. We show here that in models of post-angioplasty restenosis, graft vasculopathy and hyperlipidemia-induced atherosclerosis, bone-marrow cells give rise to most of the SMCs that contribute to arterial remodeling. Notably, purified hematopoietic stem cells differentiate into SMCs in vitro and in vivo. Our findings indicate that somatic stem cells contribute to pathological remodeling of remote organs, and may provide the basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies for vascular diseases through targeting mobilization, homing, differentiation and proliferation of bone marrow-derived vascular progenitor cells.

IL-23 and Th17 Cells Enhance Th2-Cell–mediated Eosinophilic Airway Inflammation in Mice

Abstract: Rationale: The IL-23–IL-17A–producing CD4+ T-cell (Th17 cell) axis plays an important role in the development of chronic inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune diseases. However, the role of the IL-23–Th17 cell axis in the regulation of allergic airway inflammation is still largely unknown.Objectives: To determine the role of IL-23 and Th17 cells in allergic airway inflammation.Methods: We examined the effect of anti–IL-23 antibody on antigen-induced airway inflammation. We also investigated the effect of enforced expression of IL-23 on allergic airway inflammation by generating lung-specific IL-23 transgenic mice. Moreover, we examined the effect of adoptive transfer of antigen-specific Th17 cells on allergic airway inflammation.Measurements and Main Results: IL-23 mRNA was expressed in the lung of sensitized mice upon antigen inhalation, and the neutralization of IL-23 decreased antigen-induced eosinophil recruitment and Th2 cytokine production in the airways. The enforced expression of IL-23 in th...

Disruption of the Bcl6 Gene Results in an Impaired Germinal Center Formation

Abstract: The Bcl6 gene has been identified from the chromosomal translocation breakpoint in B cell lymphomas, and its products are expressed highly in germinal center (GC) B cells. To investigate the function of Bcl6 in lymphocytes, we have generated RAG1-deficient mice reconstituted with bone marrow cells from Bcl6-deficient mice (Bcl6−/−RM). Lymphogenesis in primary lymphoid tissues of Bcl6−/−RM is normal, and Bcl6−/−RM produced control levels of primary IgG1 antibodies specific to T cell–dependent antigens. However, GCs were not found in these mice. This defect was mainly due to the abnormalities of B cells. Therefore, Bcl6 is essential for the differentiation of GC B cells.

Inflammation and cancer

Abstract: Recent data have expanded the concept that inflammation is a critical component of tumour progression. Many cancers arise from sites of infection, chronic irritation and inflammation. It is now becoming clear that the tumour microenvironment, which is largely orchestrated by inflammatory cells, is an indispensable participant in the neoplastic process, fostering proliferation, survival and migration. In addition, tumour cells have co-opted some of the signalling molecules of the innate immune system, such as selectins, chemokines and their receptors for invasion, migration and metastasis. These insights are fostering new anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches to cancer development.

Distinct types of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma identified by gene expression profiling

Abstract: 12 Pathology and Microbiology, and 13 Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is clinically heterogeneous: 40% of patients respond well to current therapy and have prolonged survival, whereas the remainder succumb to the disease. We proposed that this variability in natural history reflects unrecognized molecular heterogeneity in the tumours. Using DNA microarrays, we have conducted a systematic characterization of gene expression in B-cell malignancies. Here we show that there is diversity in gene expression among the tumours of DLBCL patients, apparently reflecting the variation in tumour proliferation rate, host response and differentiation state of the tumour. We identified two molecularly distinct forms of DLBCL which had gene expression patterns indicative of different stages of B-cell differentiation. One type expressed genes characteristic of germinal centre B cells ('germinal centre B-like DLBCL'); the second type expressed genes normally induced during in vitro activation of peripheral blood B cells ('activated B-like DLBCL'). Patients with germinal centre B-like DLBCL had a significantly better overall survival than those with activated B-like DLBCL. The molecular classification of tumours on the basis of gene expression can thus identify previously undetected and clinically significant subtypes of cancer.

TH1 and TH2 cells: different patterns of lymphokine secretion lead to different functional properties.

Abstract: Effector functions in the immune system are carried out by a variety of cell types, and as our understanding of the complexity of the system expands, the number of recognized subdivisions of cell types also continues to increase. B lymphocytes, producing antibody, were initially distinguished from T lymphocytes, which provide help for B cells (1, 2). The T-cell population was further divided when surface markers allowed separation of helper cells from cytotoxic cells (3). Although there were persistent reports of heterogeneity in the helper T-cell compartment (reviewed below), only relatively recently were distinct types of helper cells resolved. In this review we describe the differences between two types of cloned helper T cells, defined primarily by differences in the pattern of lymphokines ynthesized, and we also discuss the different functions of the two types of cells and their lymphokines. Patterns of lymphokine synthesis are convenient and explicit markers to describe T-cell subclass differences, and evidence increases that many of the functions of helper T cells are predicted by the functions of the lymphokines that they synthesize after activation by antigen and presenting cells. The separation of many mouse helper T-cell clones into these two distinct types is now well established, but their origin in normal T-cell populations is still not clear. Further divisions of helper T cells may have to be recognized before a complete picture of helper T-cell function can be obtained.

Autophagy fights disease through cellular self-digestion

Abstract: Autophagy, or cellular self-digestion, is a cellular pathway involved in protein and organelle degradation, with an astonishing number of connections to human disease and physiology. For example, autophagic dysfunction is associated with cancer, neurodegeneration, microbial infection and ageing. Paradoxically, although autophagy is primarily a protective process for the cell, it can also play a role in cell death. Understanding autophagy may ultimately allow scientists and clinicians to harness this process for the purpose of improving human health.