Division of Molecular Regulation of Inflammatory and Immune Diseases　(Matsushima Lab.)

Overview

Research in the Matsushima Lab (Division of Molecular Regulation of Inflammation and Immune Diseases) is focused on understanding and developing innovative targeted immunotherapies/diagnoses against chronic inflammatory diseases, such as fibrotic diseases and cancer, that have a poor prognosis. We implement advanced and comprehensive technologies, including flow-cytometry, fluorescence imaging, single-cell or bulk RNA-sequencing, and TCR-sequencing, to understand how inflammatory/immune responses are spatio-temporally regulated in vivo. We also perform investigator-initiated clinical trials and ancillary analyses of immunotherapies in collaboration with the Chiba Cancer Center and the National Cancer Center Japan.

RESEARCH

RESEARCH 01

Project on chronic
inflammation/fibrosis

We examine how the disruption of cellular networks drive fibrotic diseases. We employ comprehensive, cutting-edge single-cell analyses of fibrotic organs to make novel mechanistic insights and develop therapeutic strategies for fibrosis.

RESEARCH 02

Project on hepatitis B
virus(HBV)

HBV, a virus that is difficult to eliminate completely after infection, causes hepatitis B, which leads to 680,000 deaths annually around the world. We are currently investigating some small molecules that could potentially eliminate HBV from infected patients.
RESEARCH 03

Project on anti-CD4
therapy against solid tumors

We have performed the phase I study for an anti-CD4 therapy against solid tumors in patients in 2018, based on this therapy’s robust anti-tumor effects in mice. We have determined novel combinations of anti-tumor immunotherapies and have elucidated their mechanisms.
RESEARCH 04

Project on regulation
of chemokine signaling

We identified the novel chemokine receptor-coupled molecule “FROUNT” and are investigating how FROUNT regulates chemotaxis and inflammation. As a part of this project, we have developed some anti-cancer/inflammatory drugs which target FROUNT and its functioning.
RESEARCH 05

Project on
graft-versus-host-diseases
(GVHDs)

Chronic GVHD is a major cause of death after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell/bone marrow transplantation. We are investigating the mechanisms of chronic GVHD-induced immune defects by using several murine GVHD models.
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