Download Development of immunomodulatory drugs targeting the innate

Japanese
MEXT:Regional Innovation Strategy Support Program
Regions focused on strengthening international competeitiveness (Toyama Prefecture ) (Ishikawa Prefecture) ( Fukui Prefecture)
Hokuriku Life Science Cluster for opening up healthy aging society
・Concentration of researchers who play core roles in regional innovation strategies
Development of immunomodulatory drugs targeting the innate
immune system utilizing newly identified TLR ligands
Kiyoshi Takatsu, Ph.D.
Professor, Department. of Immunobiology and Pharmacological Genetics,
University of Toyama
Prof. Takatsu is a distinguished molecular immunologist in the world
who firstly cloned and identified interleukin 5 and its receptor.
Naoki Okamoto, Ph.D.
Researcher from Teika Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Introduction
Toll-like receptors (TLR) have a critical role in host protection from infectious diseases
through recognition of pathogens in innate immune systems. However, inflammation induced
by excessive activation of innate immunity causes and exacerbates the development of
chronic inflammatory diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and autoimmune
diseases. Our goal is to develop medicines or functional foods useful for the treatment of
infectious diseases and chronic inflammatory diseases based on natural products.
Summary of this project
TLR4 agonist
Immuno-activating
agent
Vaccine
adjuvant
Protection from
cancer and infection
Toll-like receptors
TLR7 inhibitor
Anti-inflammatory
agent
Drugs
Autimmune
diseases
We have found novel TLR4 agonists and TLR7 inhibitors by screening chemical compounds
in natural product-based libraries. We aim to develop immuno-activating agents and antiinflammatory agents for treating infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases, respectively.
We are currently investigating pharmacological activities of the compounds at the molecular
and cellular levels and therapeutic effects in animal models in collaboration with other
research institutes.