Shuhei Kobayashi

The nuclear IκB family protein IκBNS is expressed in T cells and plays an important role in Interferon (IFN)-γ and Interleukin (IL)-2 production. IκB-ζ, the most similar homolog of IκBNS, plays an important role in the generation of T helper (Th)17 cells in cooperation with RORγt, a master regulator of Th17 cells. Thus, IκB-ζ deficient mice are resistant to Th17-dependent experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, IκB-ζ deficient mice develop the autoimmune-like Sjögren syndrome w

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) promote viral elimination by producing large amounts of Type I interferon. Recent studies have shown that pDCs regulate the pathogenesis of diverse inflammatory diseases, such as cancer. Fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5) is a cellular chaperone of long-chain fatty acids that induce biological responses. Although the effects of FABP-mediated lipid metabolism are well studied in various immune cells, its role in pDCs remains unclear. This study, which compare

Fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) 5 is highly expressed in various types of tumors and is strongly correlated with tumor growth, development, and metastasis. However, it is unclear how the expression of FABP5 in the host affects tumor progression. In this study, using a lung tumor metastasis model in mice, we found that FABP5-deficient mice were more susceptible to tumor metastasis, which is accompanied by infiltration of a lower frequency of activated natural killer (NK) cells in the lung. Addi

Dietary obesity is regarded as a problem worldwide, and it has been revealed the strong linkage between obesity and allergic inflammation. Fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5) is expressed in lung cells, such as alveolar epithelial cells (ECs) and alveolar macrophages, and plays an important role in infectious lung inflammation. However, we do not know precise mechanisms on how lipid metabolic change in the lung affects allergic lung inflammation. In this study, we showed that Fabp5<sup>-/-</sup

Plasma cells (PCs), which aim to protect host health, produce various subsets of immunoglobulin (Ig) in response to extracellular pathogens. Blimp-1 (encoded by Prdm1)-a protein that is highly expressed by PCs-is important for PC functions, including the generation of Igs. Fatty acid-binding protein 3 (FABP3) is a carrier protein of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and participates in multiple cellular functions. Although the functions of FABP3 in neurons and cardiac myocytes are well-noted,

The physiological functions of TNF receptor-associated factor 5 (TRAF5) in the skin inflammation and wound healing process are not well characterized. We found that <i>Traf5</i> ^-/- mice exhibited an accelerated skin wound healing as compared with wild-type counterparts. The augmented wound closure in <i>Traf5</i> ^-/- mice was associated with a massive accumulation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) into skin wounds and an enhanced expression of genes related to wound r

These findings suggest that FABP3 functions as a negative regulator of skin inflammation through limiting pathogenic Vγ4⁺ γ/δ T-cell generation in the thymus.

Tumor metastasis is one of the worst prognostic features of cancer. Although metastasis is a major cause of cancer-related deaths, an effective treatment has not yet been established. Here, we explore the antitumor effects of GO-Y030, a curcumin analog, via various mechanisms using a mouse model. GO-Y030 treatment of B16-F10 melanoma cells inhibited TGF-β expression and glycolysis. The invasion assay results showed almost complete invasion inhibition following GO-Y030 treatment. Mouse experiment

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody- (ANCA-) associated vasculitis (AAV) is a systemic vasculitis characterized by ANCA positivity and categorized into three main types: microscopic polyangiitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and eosinophilic granulomatous with polyangiitis. Although AAV leads to systemic organ injury, such as of the lungs, kidneys, nerves, and skin, patients with AAV sometimes develop ocular lesions. Here, we report the case of an elderly woman who had been treated for AAV

[Background] Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly pruritic, chronic inflammatory skin disease. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is highly expressed in the epidermis of AD patients. Also, TSLP is known to induce Th2 immune responses and itch; however, the mechanism of how TSLP is produced in AD conditions is not fully understood. We have reported a unique, diet-induced AD mouse model (Fujii et al., Exp. Dermatol., 14, 460-468, 2005). In the present study, we examined the TSLP production capabili

Dear Editors,Immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis is an immune complex-mediated vasculitis characterized by the involvement of small blood vessels in various organ systems [1]. The most characteristic symptom is palpable purpura in the buttocks and lower extremities. Here we report a case of IgA vasculitis presenting with annular erythema on the abdomen. A 41-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to skin lesions and joint pain on the lower extremities. The symptoms appeared one week before