The Immune System: New Developments in Research - Part 1

This course will provide fundamental knowledge in immunology as well as some advanced topics from cutting-edge research results, such as cancer immunotherapy and novel vaccine development.

Immunity is the body’s system of protection from attack by pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. Immunology has a long history, and researchers around the world faced with the “enemies of human life” have solved numerous immunological mysteries, and contributed to a paradigm shift in immunology. Nonetheless, it is as yet unknown how certain diseases like AIDS, influenza and allergies can be completely conquered. The latest immunological research is revealing that immunity is also strongly correlated with an increasing number of other diseases such as cancer, arteriosclerosis and diabetes. If we could fully understand the mechanism of immunity, we should be able to treat such diseases. We would like to introduce basic knowledge of immunology revealed by past research and share our insights on the latest findings with you for the future development of immunology.

During this course you will learn the mechanisms of the immune system and deepen your understanding of forefront immunology research and development of medical applications. We especially encourage young people who are interested in life-science and immunology to join this course, as it will assist consideration of immunology research as a career.

The part one of the course consists of 5 lectures of about 90 minutes each. The first week covers introductory subjects and specific topics follow from the second week.

WEEK1:  Overview of Immunology

• What is the immune system?
• Players act in the immune system
• How various types of immune cells work in the immune system?

 
WEEK2:  Innate Immunity
2-1:  Innate Immunity- Pathogen Recognition by Innate Immunity

• Mechanism of innate immunity
• Interaction between innate immunity and adaptive immunity

Pattern recognition receptors
2-2:  Innate Immunity - Disorder-specific M2 Macrophages

• Functions of macrophages
• Recent topics in the research for various types of M2 macrophages

2-3:  Innate Immunity - Understanding and Manipulation of the NLRP3-inflammasome

• Colchicine inhibits activation of the NLRP3-inflammasome
• Autophagy limits activation of the NLRP3-inflammasome

 
WEEK 3: Adaptive Immunity 1 - Control of Immune Responses by Regulatory T Cells

• Identification of regulatory T (Treg) cells
• FoxP3 is a Treg specific transcription factor, and it controls IL-2 production
• Treg-targeting cancer immunotherapy

 
WEEK 4: Adaptive Immunity 2
4-1:  Adaptive Immunity 2 - Immune Regulatory Mechanisms through B Cell Axis
Anti-inflammatory functions by B cell

• Regulatory function of plasmablasts to suppress Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE)
• Essential signaling factors in B cells for IL-10 production

4-2:  Adaptive Immunity 2 - Vaccine & Immunological Memory

• What is vaccine (vaccination)?
• What is immunological memory?
• What are the issues in the research for immunological memory?

 
WEEK 5: Mucosal Immunology

• Barrier functions of epithelial cells
• Intestinal environmental factors
• Unique immune cells in the intestinal mucosa