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Investigators

Kazuo Sugamura, MD, PhD

Kazuo Sugamura

Professor and Chairman, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine

Education and Career

  • M.D., Ph.D.: Tohoku University School of Medicine, 1974
  • Research fellow, The University of Wisconsin Immunobiology Research Center, 1976
  • Assistant Professor, Kumamoto University Medical School, 1978
  • Associate Professor, Kyoto University Virus Research Institute, 1980
  • Present, 1986-

Research Project

  • The immunity has evolved as an essential protective system against a variety of infectious pathogens. The dysregulation of immune signals, however, causes immune disorders including allergy, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and immunodeficiencies. Over the last decade, to elucidate the pathogenesis for such diseases, we have worked on three projects. First, we have investigated the roles of OX40/OX40 ligand, a T cell costimulatory system, in T cell memory and T cell-mediated inflammation. We have demonstrated the pathogenic mechanisms mediated by OX40 signals for autoimmunity and inflammatory bowel disease, and proposed a new therapeutic strategy for these diseases by targeting OX40 ligand. The second project is regarding three mammalian Vps proteins, Hrs, STAM1 and STAM2, all of which we have originally cloned. They are important for the down-regulation of cytokine receptors and signaling molecules by a lysosomal degradation mechanism. We are investigating their effects on cytokine signaling. As the third project, we have established NOD/Shi-scid-IL-2Rγ (γ c)null (NOG) mice, into which almost all of human cells and tissues can be transplanted because of the lack of any rejection responses in NOG mice. By using NOG mice, we are establishing a novel animal model in which the human immune system can be perfectly reconstituted, and attempting to identify cancer stem cells.

Email

  • sugamura[atmark]mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp

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