Convergence knowledge research(J-PEAKS)

Global climate change due to global warming has significant impacts on human health living on the planet, contributing to the development of a variety of diseases. For example, the onset of bronchial asthma, a chronic inflammatory airway disease, is highly dependent on environmental changes, and the number of patients has increased with global climate change.

In this project, we aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of how environmental stimuli, which are upstream of the pathogenesis of intractable allergic airway inflammation, activate immune cells via the airway epithelium. We also aim to establish the basis for novel therapeutic strategies for bronchial asthma, for which there is currently no curative treatment. Especially, we will analyze the mechanism by which pulmonary neuro-endocrine cells (PNECs), a very rare population of airway epithelial cells, activate eosinophils in response to environmental stimuli, from the molecular and cellular level to the organismal level.

Our final goal is to establish a molecular basis for novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of chronic allergic diseases. To achieve this, our team – comprising Dr. Hirahara, who has conducted long-standing research on the regulatory mechanisms of chronic allergic airway inflammation at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels; Dr. Ogasawara, a specialist in membrane protein structure analysis; and Dr. Suzuki, a physician-scientist specializing in clinical respiratory medicine – will promote a comprehensive research initiative from Chiba University. This initiative aims to organically link molecular, cellular, tissue, and individual-level analyses on the "environment-inflammation connection."
Specifically:

• We will elucidate the interaction between proteins secreted from PNECs and receptors on eosinophils.
• We will analyse the interaction between environmental stimuli, airway epithelial cells, and immune cells using various genetically engineered mice.
• In human (patient) tissues, we will verify the findings through advanced analysis techniques to provide Proof of Concept (POC)

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