Immunometabolism

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CONTACT

Email	iga-ryu◎t.mail.nagoya-u.ac.jp (Please send a message after replacing "◎" mark with "@" mark. )
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OUTLINE

With the Westernization of lifestyles, obesity has been increasing in Japan, contributing to metabolic syndrome and various lifestyle-related diseases. Lifestyle-related diseases are typical multifactorial disorders that arise from interactions between genetic predisposition and environmental factors, and are significantly influenced by changes in our surrounding environment. In our laboratory, we aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying lifestyle-related diseases by understanding not only individual molecules or cells, but also the interactions among diverse cell types within each organ and the inter-organ networks.
As a key concept for understanding lifestyle-related diseases, we focus on ""immunometabolism."" Recent evidence has shown that lifestyle-related diseases, traditionally regarded as metabolic disorders, also possess characteristics of chronic inflammatory diseases. We are investigating how overnutrition induces chronic inflammation and whether interventions targeting chronic inflammation can lead to treatments for lifestyle-related diseases. In addition to these pathophysiological studies, we have recently been developing novel therapeutic approaches with medical-engineering collaborations. Through these efforts, our laboratory seeks to contribute to elucidating the pathophysiology of lifestyle-related diseases and developing new treatments, positioning ourselves at the interface between basic and clinical research.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

1.Elucidation of mechanisms underlying cell death-triggered chronic inflammation

• Adipose tissue undergoes substantial structural changes during the progression of obesity; discovery of molecules that regulate adipose tissue function through intercellular interactions
  Diabetes 74: 1135-1152, 2025 (Selected as Paper of the Month)
• Mechanisms of the AKI-to-CKD transition mediated by Mincle, a dead cell sensor; potential for developing novel preventive strategies for CKD
  J. Exp. Med. 217: e20192230, 2020
• Elucidation of novel pathogenic mechanisms of MASH; through the development of a novel MASH disease model
  JCI Insight 2: e92902, 2017
• Discovery of key molecules causing adipose tissue fibrosis associated with obesity; a novel molecular target for metabolic syndrome treatment
  Nat. Commun. 5: 4982, 2014

2. Intracellular metabolism and chronic inflammation

• Elucidation of novel pathogenic mechanisms of MASH; iron accumulation in Kupffer cells promotes liver fibrosis
  iScience 24: 102032, 2021
• EPA intake suppresses plasma cell differentiation and ameliorates systemic lupus erythematosus pathology
  Front. Immunol. 12: 650856, 2021

3. Development of novel therapeutic strategies through medical-engineering collaborations

• - Cholesterol accumulation in macrophages promotes liver fibrosis; toward the development of MASH therapy using supramolecular polyrotaxane
  J. Exp. Med. 220: e20220681, 2023
• Development of an ""electronics-free"" artificial pancreas device; autonomous insulin release in response to blood glucose changes
  Sci. Adv. 3: eaaq0723, 2017

BIBLIOGRAPHY