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Tissue Immunology of Infection

TEL +81-6-6879-4932

Overview

Immune responses to pathogens not only eliminate invading microbes but also establish immune defense mechanisms in infected tissues that confer protection against subsequent infections. However, some pathogens are not completely eliminated from the body and instead remain in latent or persistent states for long periods. Our laboratory focuses on the immune networks established at sites of infection and investigates the mechanisms that govern their formation, maintenance, and protective functions. 

In particular, we are interested in how immunological memory is established in mucosal and neuronal tissues after infection, and how it contributes to protection against reinfection. Through this work, we aim to develop new preventive strategies. We also examine how the immune system contributes to the maintenance and control of latent and persistent infections, with the goal of developing new therapeutic strategies. 

Furthermore, we explore how latent and persistent infections are involved in the development and progression of chronic diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. These studies are expected to deepen our understanding of disease pathogenesis and provide clues to new therapeutic approaches. 

Principal Investigator

Norifumi Iijima Associate Professor

Members

  • Norifumi Iijima　Associate Professor
    niijimaifrec.osaka-u.ac.jp

Achievements

Publications

  • Iijima N*. The emerging role of effector functions exerted by tissue-resident memory T cells. Oxford open immunology. Volume 5, Issue 1, iqae006, 2024 (*Corresponding author)

  • Iijima N*§, Yamaguchi M, Hayashi T, Rui Y, Ohira Y, Miyamoto Y, Niino M, Okuno T, Suzuki O, Oka M, Ishii KJ*  miR-147-3p in pathogenic CD4 T cells controls chemokine receptor expression for the development of experimental autoimmune diseases. J Autoimmun. 149:103319, 2024 (*Corresponding author § Lead contact).

  • Iijima N*§, Hayashi T, Niino M, Miyamoto Y, Oka M, Ishii KJ* Tridecylcyclohexane in incomplete Freund's adjuvant is a critical component in inducing experimental autoimmune diseases. Eur J Immunol. 54(10): e2350957, 2024 (*Corresponding author § Lead contact).

  • LeeML, Matsunaga H, Sugiura Y, Hayasaka T, Yamamoto I, Imoto D, SuematsuM, Iijima N, Kimura K, Diano S, Toda C. Prostaglandin in the ventromedial hypothalamus regulates peripheral glucose metabolism, Nature Communications, 12(1):2330, 2020. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22431-6

  • Iijima N. Memory Lymphocyte Clusters in Genital Immunity: Role of Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells (TRM). Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 426:83-117, 2020 (*Corresponding author).

  • Oh JE#, Iijima N#, Song E, Lu P, Klein J, Jiang R, Kleinstein SH, Iwasaki A. Migrant memory B cells secrete luminal antibody in the vagina Nature 2019 571(7763):122-126. (# equally contributed).

  • Iijima N, Iwasaki A. Access of protective antiviral antibody to neuronal tissues requires CD4 T cell help. Nature 533(7604): 552-556, 2016.

  • Iijima N, Iwasaki A. Tissue instruction for migration and retention of TRM cells   Trends Immunol. 36(9):556-64, 2015 (Review)

  • Iijima N and Iwasaki A. T cell memory. A local macrophage chemokine network sustains protective tissue-resident memory CD4 T cells. Science 346(6205):93-98. 2014

  • Iijima N, Mattei LM, Iwasaki A. Recruited inflammatory monocytes stimulate antiviral Th1 immunity in infected tissue. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 108(1):284-289. 2011

  • Iijima N, Linehan MM, Zamora M, Butkus D, Dunn R, Kehry MR, Laufer TM, Iwasaki A. Dendritic cells and B cells maximize mucosal Th1 memory response to herpes simplex virus. J Exp Med. 205(13): 3041-3052. 2008

  • Iijima N, Thompson JM and Iwasaki A. Dendritic cells and macrophages in the genitourinary tract. Mucosal Immunology. 1(6):451-9, 2008 (Review)

  • Iijima N, Linehan MM, Saeland S, Iwasaki A. Vaginal epithelial dendritic cells renew from bone marrow precursors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 104(48): 19061-19066. 2007

  • Iijima N, Yanagawa Y, Onoé K. CCR7 ligands-induced JNK activation of mature dendritic cells is essential for cell migration. Int. Immunol. 17 (9): 1201-1212, 2005

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