The immune system plays a central role
in the pathogenesis of a broader range of
diseases than previously anticipated.
While the importance of immunology research on various diseases
will continue to increase,
we researchers have now realized that there is
an explicit limitation in translating the findings of mouse models to humans.
In our laboratory, we do human immunology research.
We analyze human immune cells in blood and
tissue samples obtained from healthy subjects and patients,
by using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques.
We aim to understand the pathophysiology of various diseases,
establish disease biomarkers, and develop novel therapies.
New paper published in Science Immunology by Yuki Masuo and others. The title is "Stem-like and effector peripheral helper T cells comprise distinct subsets in rheumatoid arthritis". Read the paper from here (Open access link). Read the press release from here. Our group identified two distinct subsets of Tph cells in inflamed joints of rheumatoid arthritis. Stem-like Tph cells self-renew and differentiate within tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs), where they also promote antibody production. By contrast, effector Tph cells interact with macrophages and CD8+ T cells outside of TLSs, driving tissue inflammation. Targeting stem-like Tph cells has the potential to provide a new therapeutic strategy for RA.
New paper published in Brain by Ryusei Nishigori and others. The title is "CD21lo B cell subsets are recruited to the central nervous system in acute neuromyelitis optica." Read the paper from here (Open access link). Read the press release from here. We performed a comprehensive analysis of immune cells using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples from patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a severe autoimmune neurological disease. We found an increase in antibody-secreting cells, CD21 low-expressing (CD21lo) B cell subsets, and B-helper CD4⁺ T cell subsets in the acute phase CSF. Notably, CD21lo B cell subsets in the blood were associated with relapse frequency in NMO, suggesting their important role in disease pathogenesis and potential as therapeutic targets.
New paper published in Science Immunology by Akinori Murakami and others. The title is "Human CD4+ T cells regulate peripheral immune responses in rheumatoid arthritis via insulin-like growth factor–like family member 2". Read the paper from here (Open access link). Read the press release from here. Our group identified IGFL2—an evolutionary novel cytokine specific to primates—as a molecule produced specifically by helper T cells and involved in the pathogenesis of human rheumatoid arthritis. We also found that IGFL2 levels in the blood are strongly associated with the disease activity, suggesting its potential as a new biomarker and therapeutic target.
Documentary by TV Shinshu Broadcasting received Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the 66th Science and Technology Film/Video Festival. Research at our lab was featured in the documentary.
Oral presentations by Hiroyuki Yoshitomi, Akinori Murakami, and Rinko Akamine at The 10th Japanese Society of Osteoimmunology annual meeting. Hiroyuki Yoshitomi, Akinori Murakami, and Rinko Akamine received Excellent Abstract Award.
Oral presentation by Yuki Masuo at The 25th Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies Annual Meeting (FOCiS 2025). Yuki Masuo received British Society for Immunology (BSI) Poster Prize Award.
Oral presentations by Shuhe Ma and Hajime Morita at the 34th Kyoto T Cell Conference.
Poster presentations by Hajime Morita and Yuki Masuo at cSIMVa・KIC・LJI・UCSD Strategic International Joint Symposium 2025. Hajime Morita and Yuki Masuo received Best Poster Award.
Oral presentation by Yuki Masuo at The 69th Annual General Assembly and Scientific Meeting of the Japan College of Rheumatology. Yuki Masuo received Excellent Abstract Award.
The Meeting Report on The 22nd Takeda Science Foundation Symposium on Bioscience and The 1st Kyoto Immunology Symposium was published in Nature Immunology. Read the paper from here (Open access link).
Oral presentation by Dongyun Lu at the 2nd AMED SCARDA Joint Symposium of Japan Initiative for World-leading Vaccine Research and Development Centers. Dongyun Lu received Best Oral Presentation Award for Early Career Researcher.
Oral Presentations by Hiroyuki Yoshitomi, Yoshitaka Honda, Yuki Masuo, Yunni Zhang, and Dongyun Lu and poster presentations by Shuhe Ma, Ryusei Nishigori, and Hajime Morita at The 1st Kyoto Immunology Symposium. Yunni Zhang received Best Oral Presentation Award.
Poster presentations by Shuhe Ma, Ryusei Nishigori, Akinori Murakami, Hajime Morita, Toshiaki Bando, Sari Hatanaka, Mouna Khan, Yuki Masuo, Xinxin Xue, Dongyun Lu, and Joey Matsuyama at The 22nd Takeda Science Foundation Symposium on Bioscience. Sari Hatanaka, Yuki Masuo, and Xinxin Xue received Excellent Poster Award.
Poster presentations by Akinori Murakami, Yuki Masuo, Mouna Khan, and Rinko Akamine at the ASHBi Retreat 2025. Yuki Masuo received Excellence in Research Award.
Oral presentations by Akinori Murakami, Yuki Masuo, Mouna Khan, Lynn Zreka, Dongyun Lu and poster presentation by Toshiaki Bando at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Immunology. Yuki Masuo and Dongyun Lu received Best Presentation Award.
Poster presentation by Yuki Masuo at ACR Convergence 2024.
Mio Hamatani was featured as a female researcher on the ASHBi for student website.
Oral presentation by Sari Hatanaka at the 73rd Annual Meeting ofJapanese Society of Allergy.
Poster presentations by Toshiaki Bando and Yuki Masuo at the 4th Kyoto University Reserch Networking Salon.
Oral presentation by Dongyun Lu at the 3rd AMED SCARDA Support Organization Joint Symposium of Japan Initiative for World-leading Vaccine Research and Development Centers. Dongyun Lu received Best Oral Presentation Award for Early Career Researcher.
Oral presentation by Yoshitaka Honda at the 45th ASHBi Colloquium.
Mio Hamatani spoke as a female researcher at an open campus event of Kyoto University.
Poster presentation by Joey Matsuyama at The 31st Japanese Society for the Research of Hepatic Cells.
Lecture by Hideki Ueno at the 40th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Pedeatric Clinical Allergy.
Oral presentation by Sari Hatanaka and Yuki Masuo at the 33rd Kyoto T Cell Conference.
Poster presentation by Joey Matsuyama at the 10th Korea-Japan-Taiwan HBV Research Symposium.
Oral presentation by Yoshitaka Honda at APSID-JSIAD 2024.
Lynn Zreka obtained the Master’s Degree. She will proceed to the PhD course at the Ueno lab.
Poster presentations by Yuki Masuo, Xinxin Xue, Celine Chua and Dongyun Lu at the 1st AMED SCARDA Joint Symposium of Japan Initiative for World-leading Vaccine Research and Development Centers.
Oral presentation by Shusei Fujioka and poster presentations by Shusei Fujioka, Naila Shinwari, Yuki Masuo and Xinxin Xue at ASHBi Retreat 2024. Shusei Fujioka received Best Presentation Award.
Oral presentation by Yuki Masuo and poster presentation by Akinori Murakami at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Immunology
Poster presentations by Mouna Khan and Celine Chua at 2023 FIMSA Advanced Training Course of Immunology
Poster presentation by Xinxin Xue at 5th CSI/JSI/KAI Joint Symposium on Immunology “Frontier in Immunology Research in the Aftermath of the Pandemic”
Poster presentation by Shusei Fujioka at Japanese Society for Quantitative Biology
