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Department of Immunology

Focus of research

1. Cellular interaction in immune responses

2. Induction mechanism of allergic diseases

3. Induction mechanism of autoimmune diseases

4. Growth mechanism of tumor cells and its regulation

5. Interaction of immune and verious systems

6. Efect of Heavy metals and metallothionein on lymphocytes

Keywords:Immunocompetent cells, Allergy, Autoimmune diseases, Tumor Immunology, Neuroimmunology, Heavy metals

In our laboratory we are studying the induction mechanism of immune responses against various antigens at cellular and molecular level. Furthermore, we are applying the information obtained in the above studies to understand the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancer. We are also studying the effect of heavy metals and environmental pollution subustances on the host using immune system and approaching to the problems of occupational and environmental health.

Latest publications of our reserch

1) Noguchi, J., Kuroda, E. and Yamashita, U.: Strain difference of murine bone marrow-derived mast cell functions. J. Leuk. Biol. 78: 605-611, 2005.

2) Okada, K., Kuroda, E., Yoshida, Y., Yamashita, U., Suzumura, O. and Tsuji, S.: Effects of interferon-b on the cytokine production of astrocytes. J. Neuroimmunol., 159 : 48-54, 2005.

3) Yamashita, U., Sugiura, T., Yoshida, Y. and Kuroda, E.: Effect of endocrine disrupters on macrophage function in vivo. J.UOEH, 27: 1-10, 2005.

4) Okada, K., Yamashita, U. and Tsuji, S.: Modulation of Na+-dependent glutamate transporter of murine astrocytes by inflammatory mediators.　J. UOEH, 27: 150-160, 2005.

5) Yoshida, Y., Koyama, Y., Peng, H., Arman, A., Boch J. A. and Auron, P. E.: IL-1 activates STAT3/NF-kB cross-talk via an unique TRAF6 and p65-dependent mechanism. J. Biol. Chem. 279: 1768-1776, 2004.

6) Sugiura, T., Kuroda, E. and Yamashita, U.: Dysfunction of macrophages in metallothionein-knock out mice. J.UOEH, 26: 193-205. 2004.

7) Ryo, A., Suzuki, F., Yoshida, Y., Perrem, K., Liou, YC. , Wulf, G., Rottapel, R., Yamaoka, S., Lu, KP.: Regulation of NF-kappaB signaling by Pin1-dependent prolyl isomerization and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of p65/RelA. Mol Cell. 12: 1413-26, 2003.

8) Boch, JA. , Yoshida, Y., Koyama, Y., Wara-aswapati, N. , Peng, H. , Unlu, S. , Auron, PE.: Characterization of a cascade of protein interactions initiated at the IL-1 receptor. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 303: 525-31, 2003.

9) Yamashita, U., Kuroda, E., Yoshida, Y. and Sugiura, T.: Effect of endocrine disrupters on immune responses in vivo. J. UOEH, 25: 365-374, 2003.

10) Kuroda, E. and Yamashita, U.: Assay system for the effect of prostaglandin E2 in the determination of polarized cytokine production. Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 249, Cytokine Protocols, 229-238, 2003.

11) Kuroda, E. and Yamashita, U.: Mechanisms of enhanced macrophage-mediated prostaglandin E2 production and its suppressive role for Th1 activation in Th2-dominan BALB/c mice. J. Immunol., 170 : 757-764, 2003.

12) Sugiura, T. and Yamashita, U.: Strain difference of cadmium-induced cytotoxicity, methallothionein expression and cytokine production in mice. J. UOEH, 25 (Supplement 1) : 197-208, 2003.

13) Kito, T., Kuroda, E. Yokota, A. and Yamashita, U.: Cytotoxicity in glioma cells due to interleukin-12 and interleukin-18-stimulated macrophages mediated by interferon-g-regulated nitric oxide. J. Neurosurg., 98 : 385-399, 2003.

14) Yamashita, U., Sugiura, T., Yoshida, Y. and Kuroda, E.: Effect of endocrine disrupters on thymocytes in vitro. J.UOEH, 25: 161-170, 2003.

15) Sugiura, T. and Yamashita, U.; Strain difference of cadmium-induced cytotoxicity, methallothionein expression and cytokine production in mice. J.UOEH, 25(S1): 197-208, 2003.

16) Yamashita, U. and Kuroda, E.: Regulation of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC; CCL22) production. Critical Rev. Immunol., 22 : 105-114, 2002.

17) Kuroda, E., Kito, T. and Yamashita, U.: Reduced expression of STAT4 and IFN-g in macrophages from BALB/c mice. J. Immunol., 168 : 5477-5482, 2002.

18) Kito, T., Kuroda, E., Yokota, A. and Yamashita, U.: Enhancement of macrophage cytotoxicity against murine gliomas by interferon b: increase in nitric oxide production in responses to glioma-derived soluble factors. J. Neurosurg., 97 : 619-626, 2002.

19) Yamada, H., Kuroda, E., Matsumoto, S., Matsumoto, T., Yamada, T. and Yamashita, U.: Prostaglandin E2 down-regulates viable Bacille de Calmette et Guerin-induced bladder cancer cell, MBT-2 in vitro. Clin. Exp. Immunol., 128 : 52-58, 2002.

20) Kuroda, E., Yoshida, Y., Shan, B.E. and Yamashita, U.: Suppression of macrophage interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor-a prodution in mice infected with Toxocara canis. Parasite Immunol., 23 : 305-311, 2001.

21) Kuroda, E., Sugiura, T., Okada, K., Zeki, K. and Yamashita, U.: Prostaglandin E2 up-regulates macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) production, but suppresses interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) production by antigen-presenting cells. J. Immunol., 166 : 1650-1658, 2001.

22) Yoshida, Y., Myozaki, M., Kuroda E. and Yamashita, U. : Cytotoxic effect of an anti-liver monoclonal autoantibody obtained after neonatal thymectomy in mice. J. Autoimmunity, 16: 373-382, 2001.

23) Kishi, H., Kuroda, E., Mishima, H. K. and Yamashita, U.: Role of TGF-b in the retinoic acid-induced inhibition of proliferation and melanin synthesis in chick retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro. Cell Biol. Int., 25: 1125-1129, 2001.

24) Okada, K., Sugiura, T., Kuroda, E., Tsuji, S. and Yamashita, U.: Phenytoin promotes Th2 type immune response in mice. Clin. Exp. Immunol., 124 : 406-413, 2001.

25) Okada, K., Tsuji, S. and Yamashita, U.: Cycloxgenase-2 expression in the hippocampus from genetically epilepsy susceptible El mice. Brain Res., 894: 332-335, 2001.

26) Kuroda, E., Sugiura, T., Zeki, K., Yoshida, Y. and Yamashita, U.: Sensitivity difference to the suppressive effect of prostaglandin E2 among mouse strains : A possible mechanism to polarize Th2 type response in BALB/c mice. J. Immunol., 164 : 2386-2395, 2000.

27) Sugiura, T. and Yamashita, U. : B cell mitogenic activity of metallothionein in vitro. Int. J. Immunopharmacol., 22 : 113-122, 2000.

28) Okada, K., Yoshida, Y., Sugiura, T., Tanaka, H., Tsuji, S., Yamashita, H. and Yamashita, U.: Reduced interleukin-1 responsiveness in immune system and central nervous system of inbred polydipsic (STR/N) mice. Life Sciences, 66: 1461-1470, 2000.

29) Yamada, H., Matsumoto, S., Matsumoto, T., Yamada, T. and Yamashita, U.: Murine IL-2 secreting recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guerin augments macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity against murine bladder cancer MBT-2. J. Urology, 164: 526-531, 2000.

30) Yamada, H., Matsumoto, S., Matsumoto, T., Yamada, T. and Yamashita, U.: Enhancing effect of an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis on Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-induced macrophage cytotoxicity against murine bladder cancer cell line MBT-2 in vitro. Jpn. J. Cancer Res., 91: 534-542, 2000.

31) Shan, B. E., Zeki, K., Sugiura, T. and Yamashita, U.: Chinese medicinal herb, Acanthopanax gracilistylus extract induces cell cycle arrest of human tumor cells in vitro. Jpn. J. Cancer Res., 91: 383-389, 2000.

32) Kawakami, Y., Nagai, N., Ohama, K., Zeki, K., Yoshida, Y., Kuroda, E. and Yamashita, U.: Macrophage-colony stimulating factor inhibits growth of human ovarian cancer cells in vitro. Eur. J. Cancer, 36 : 1991-1997, 2000.

Profile of staff

Professor: Uki Yamashita

Assistant Professor: Tsutomu Sugiura

Reseach Associate: Yasuhiro Yoshida

Reseach Associate: Etsushi Kuroda

Educational activities

Antigens, Structure and function of antibodies (immunoglobulin), Antigen-antibody reaction, Complement, Immunocompetent cells, Cellular interaction of immune response, Cytokine, Immunogenetics, Cellular immunology, Infection and immunity, Tumor immunology, Allergy, Autoimmune diseases, Immunodeficiency, Transplantation, etc.

Dept. Immunol.

2005/10/3

J.Noguchi (EXT.2334)