Hokkaido University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Professor Kiminori Nakamura's research lab focuses on the intersection of host-microbe interactions, innate immunity, and gastrointestinal health, with a particular emphasis on Paneth cells and antimicrobial peptides such as α-defensins. The lab investigates how circadian rhythms, lifestyle factors like smoking and sleep duration, and metabolic factors influence Paneth cell function and intestinal microbiota homeostasis. Using human and murine models, the lab explores the molecular mechanisms underlying defensin secretion and its impact on disease susceptibility, including cardiovascular disease and inflammatory conditions. The research integrates immunology, microbiology, and translational medicine to understand how environmental and behavioral factors shape intestinal immunity and systemic health.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Antimicrobial peptides are major effectors of innate immunity of multicellular organisms including humans and play a critical role in host defense, and their importance is widely recognized. The epithelium of the intestine is the largest surface area exposed to the outer environment, including pathogens, toxins and foods. The Paneth cell lineage of intestinal epithelial cells produces and secretes α-defensin antimicrobial peptides and functions in innate enteric immunity by removing pathogens an
This meta-analysis has shown that, despite the relative immaturity of the smoking epidemic in Asia, smoking is unquestionably a major contributor to ill health and death. However, the beneficial effects of quitting are not yet always apparent, most probably because quitting is a consequence of ill health and the relative unpopularity of smoking cessation in many Asian populations.
Smoking exacerbated the effects of both TC and HDLC on CHD, although no interaction between smoking and TC or HDLC existed for either of the subtypes of stroke.
Sleep is essential for our health. Short sleep is known to increase disease risks via imbalance of intestinal microbiota, dysbiosis. However, mechanisms by which short sleep induces dysbiosis remain unknown. Small intestinal Paneth cell regulates the intestinal microbiota by secreting antimicrobial peptides including α-defensin, human defensin 5 (HD5). Disruption of circadian rhythm mediating sleep-wake cycle induces Paneth cell failure. We aim to clarify effects of short sleep on HD5 secretion
Paneth cells contribute to intestinal innate immunity by sensing bacteria and secreting α-defensin. In Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice, α-defensin termed cryptdin (Crp) in Paneth cells consists of six major isoforms, Crp1 to 6. Despite accumulating evidences that α-defensin functions in controlling the intestinal microbiota, topographical localization of Paneth cells in the small intestine in relation to functions of α-defensin remains to be determined. In this study, we examined the exp
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