YAMAZAKI SayuriGraduate School of Medical Sciences Department of Immunology Professor |
I started my research on epidermal Langerhans cells as a dermatologist in Tokyo Medical Dental University. During my clinical experiences, I realized the importance of immune regulation, so I went to Shimon Sakaguchi lab. In his lab, I was very lucky to contribute his discovery that CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells (Treg) suppress tumor immunity. We also identified a new function of GITR on Treg cells. Then, Dr. Ralph Steinman who discovered dendritic cells recruited me in his lab and we found that dendritic cells are important antigen-presenting cells for expansion of Treg cells. Since then, my research has been focusing on crosstalk between dendritic cells and Treg cells. Our goal is “Immunology of Humanity” to contribute to diverse patients in the future.