The University of Osaka · Immunology and Microbiology
Professor Ken J. Ishii's research lab focuses on innate immune sensing and dendritic cell biology, particularly how endogenous and exogenous DNA signals regulate antigen-presenting cell maturation and adaptive immunity. The lab investigates the role of genomic DNA released from dying cells as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) that activates dendritic cells through Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and other cytosolic sensors. A central theme is understanding how the physical properties of DNA—such as length, structure, and concentration—influence immune responses, with implications for vaccine development and autoimmunity. The lab also explores how these mechanisms contribute to immune surveillance during infection and tissue injury.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Mature APCs play a key role in the induction of Ag-specific immunity. This work examines whether genomic DNA released by dying cells provides a stimulus for APC maturation. Double-stranded but not single-stranded genomic DNA triggered APC to up-regulate expression of MHC class I/II and various costimulatory molecules. Functionally, dsDNA enhanced APC function in vitro and improved primary cellular and humoral immune responses in vivo. These effects were dependent on the length and concentration
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