Mammals and gut microbiota have co-evolved over 100 million years to establish a unique ecosystem based on symbiotic interactions. Colonization by gut microbiota facilitates expansion of colonic Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells, which play a pivotal role in containment of excessive inflammation. The molecular machinery controlling Treg homeostasis in the gut, however, remains largely unknown. Here we report that a DNA methylation adaptor Uhrf1 regulates homeostasis and functionality of colonic Treg cells. This mechanism secures symbiotic host-microbe interactions without an inflammatory response.
Researcher Information
JST PRESTO
Research Area: “Epigenetic control and biological functions”
Research Theme:“Epiegenetic modifications of the gut immune system by commensal microbiota”
Journal Information
Yuuki Obata, Yukihiro Furusawa, Takaho A Endo, Jafar Sharif, Daisuke Takahashi, Koji Atarashi, Manabu Nakayama, Satoshi Onawa, Yumiko Fujimura, Masumi Takahashi, Tomokatsu Ikawa, Takeshi Otsubo, Yuki I Kawamura, Taeko Dohi, Shoji Tajima, Hiroshi Masumoto, Osamu Ohara, Kenya Honda, Shohei Hori, Hiroshi Ohno, Haruhiko Koseki and Koji Hase. “The epigenetic regulator Uhrf1 facilitates proliferation and maturation of colonic regulatory T cells”
Nature Immunology, Published online 28 April 2014
doi: 10.1038/ni.2886
Contact
[About Research]
Koji Hase, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University
E-mail: 
URL: http://www.ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp/dmb/index-e.html
[About Program]
Koji Matsuo, Takafumi Kawaguchi, and Yuichi Mine
Life Innovation Group, Department of Innovation Research, JST
E-mail: 