Koji Ikegami

Multidimensional dynamics and control of primary cilia-derived particles

Researcher

Koji Ikegami

Outline

Almost all cells in the human body have “micro-hairs” called primary cilia. In this study, I will reveal what organs small particles released from the primary cilia to the extracellular space or lumen target in the body. I will also examine how the targets of the particles alter when the condition of the body changes like obesity and aging. Based on what I learned through this study, I aim to develop new technologies that are useful in medical and industrial fields, trying to manipulate the particles through modifying their contents to control the target of the particle.

Chitose Oneyama

Mechanisms underlying the regulation of exosome biogenesis

Researcher

Chitose Oneyama

Outline

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles that are believed to play important roles in intercellular communications. The amount and composition of exosomes vary depending on the physiological state of cells such as diseases, but the mechanism has not been established. In this project, we will try to develop a new analytical method of exosomes and clarify the mechanisms underlying the regulation of exosome biogenesis by identifying and analyzing the molecules responsible for exosome formation and encapsulation.

SooHyeon Kim

Comprehensive analysis of RNA-sequencing in an exosome by using single-exosome transcriptome analysis

Researcher

SooHyeon Kim

Outline

This project aims to develop single-exosome transcriptome analysis by using barcoded nucleotides capable of identifying hundreds of thousands of single exosomes to realize comprehensive analysis of RNA-sequencing in the single exosomes.

Etsushi Kuroda

Analysis of immune responses induced by inhaled fine particles

Researcher

Etsushi Kuroda

Outline

Fine particles around us are known to affect immune responses. Especially, inhaled particulate matters such as PM2.5 are thought to induce allergic inflammation though the preferential activation of immune responses. However, underlying mechanisms of immune modulation by fine particles are still unclear. In this project, I investigate the mechanisms of action of inhaled fine particle on immune responses using fine particle-induced allergic inflammation model.

Ryosuke Kojima

Efficient assessment of the performance of various exosome-targeting constructs by a novel high-throughput assay to monitor multiple-multiple interactions in vivo

Researcher

Ryosuke Kojima

Outline

Exosomes are attracting considerable attention as a new class of drug delivery vesicles. It has however, been difficult to achieve delivery of exosomes with minimal off-target delivery. In this study, I will establish a novel high-throughput assay to assess the performance of various exosome-targeting constructs that allows for monitoring of multiple-multiple interactions in vivo. Through this assay, I try to precisely understand and control behavior of exosomes in vivo.

Yoshitaka Shirasaki

Development of live-cell tracking technology of endogenous fine particles from intracellular generation to intercellular communication

Researcher

Yoshitaka Shirasaki

Outline

Endogenous fine particles are expected to be an important carrier for intercellular communication, but the dynamics of their production from individual cells is not well understood. In this project, I develop the microscopic platform to observe the whole process regarding endogenous fine particles in individual cells, such as intracellular formation, extracellular release and intercellular delivery with single particle resolution in real-time. This technology will be applied for many types of endogenous particles including exosomes, microvesicles and apoptotic bodies to elucidate the differences among these in production dynamics, features of individual vesicles and functional aspect for recipient cells.

Akiko Takahashi

Biological function analysis of free nucleic acid fragments and its control.

Researcher

Akiko Takahashi

Outline

In order to understand the physiological role of free nucleic acid fragments (fNAFs) within exosomes secreted from senescent cells, I try to investigate the molecular mechanism of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) induction by fNAFs. My goal is to provide new insights into the biological function of extracellular fine particles and the effects on aging and age-associated pathology, thereby enabling its control in future.

Toshihide Takeuchi

Toward understanding how organisms maintain protein homeostasis using extracellular vesicles

Researcher

Toshihide Takeuchi

Outline

Protein misfolding and aggregation are associated with neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. To develop therapeutics for such diseases, we need to understand how misfolding and aggregation of disease proteins occur in our body, and how we tackle to prevent such unwanted events. In this study, I will focus on the roles of extracellular vesicles (EV) on protein homeostasis, and perform multiple experiments to elucidate how we suppress protein aggregation by utilizing EV secretion and transmission. This study will provide basic knowledge beneficial for development of therapies and diagnostics for brain diseases and dementia.

Masafumi Nakayama

Defining the mechanism by which macrophages recognize crystals and nanoparticles

Researcher

Masafumi Nakayama

Outline

The inhalation of silica, asbestos, or carbon nanotubes could cause severe diseases such as fibrosis and cancer, which are triggered by macrophage inflammatory responses. However, it largely remains unknown how macrophages recognize and internalize these harmful particles. In this project, by using an interdisciplinary approach, I will identify the macrophage receptor for particles, and reveal the molecular mechanism underlying particle-induced inflammatory diseases.

Toshiro Moroishi

Towards an understanding of immunostimulatory extracellular vesicles in cancer

Researcher

Toshiro Moroishi

Outline

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been gaining immense interest in recent years as experimental evidence has shown that EVs secreted from cancer cells can modulate the host immune response and contribute to the progression of cancer. In this study, I will characterize the immunostimulatory properties of EVs and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of biogenesis and regulation of such EVs. The major goals of this project are to provide scientific bases to validate EVs as cancer therapy targets, and to develop cancer immunotherapy targeting immunostimulatory EVs.

Tomoya Yamaguchi

Formation mechanism of endogenous fine particles in lung adenocarcinoma

Researcher

Tomoya Yamaguchi

Outline

We previously identified the receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) as a target for transcriptional activation via the lineage-survival oncogene TTF-1 in lung adenocarcinoma. ROR1 facilitates the interaction of CAVIN1 and CAV1 at the plasma membrane in a kinase activity-independent manner, which in turn sustains caveolae formation and pro-survival signaling towards AKT through multiple RTKs such as EGFR, MET and IGF-IR, via its scaffold function for CAVIN1 and CAV1 in lung cancer. In this project, we focus on the role of ROR1 in formation mechanism of endogenous fine particles in lung adenocarcinoma. The goal of this project is to elucidate the dynamics and functions of endogenous fine particles in lung cancer, and then to understand the biological phenomena caused by fine particles.

Sou Ryuzaki

Developing a simultaneous analysis method for shape and chemical composition of single bionanoparticles

Researcher

Sou Ryuzaki

Outline

Realizing a novel sensing method enabling simultaneous analysis for “shape” and “chemical composition” of just single bionanoparticles is the main mission in this project. Understanding correlations between shape and chemical composition of the particles allows us to ravel the particle functions in our body. Exosome is one of the most important targets from a perspective of this study.