Akihide Shimizu, M.D.

RESEARCH SUMMARY

T cells are essential for the onset of various autoimmune diseases. However, the relationship between recognition specificity of T-cell antigen receptors and pathological specificity in the symptoms and affected organs is poorly understood. Our laboratory has recently identified self-MHC-associated peptides expressed in Aire-dependent thymic medullary epithelial cells.  I would like to study how those thymic peptides influence T-cell antigen-recognition specificities in genetically autoimmune-prone mice. Obtained results are expected to advance our understanding of impact of T-cell antigen-recognition specificity in autoimmune pathology.

Areas of Expertise