1. General Description of the Department
April, 1982
When Yamanashi Medical College was established, the department also began as the Department of Parasitology and Immunology. (The first generation professor was Yasuo Nakajima.)
October, 2002
It became the Deparment of Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, as the college was merged with Yamanashi University.
July, 2003
After Professor Yasuo Nakajima reached mandatory retirement, Atsuhito Nakao took the position moving from Juntendo University School of Medicine.
November, 2003
The name of the department was changed to the Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi.
2. Profile of the Faculty Members (Area of Research)
Professor: Atsuhito Nakao
1. Cytokine signaling in health and disease
Associate Professor: Kachio Tasaka
1. Role of apotosis in immunopathology
Research Associate: Masanori Sho
1. Epidemiological research on schistosomiasis japonicum in china
3. General Description of the Research Activities
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β ), a multifunctional cytokine, is an
important signal for homeostatic regulation and its dysregulation is associated
with many pathological conditions including cancer, tissue fibrosis, allergy,
and autoimmune disorders. The goal of our research is to reveal molecular
basis how TGF-β signals mediate homeostatic regulation and how aberrant
TGF-β signals are generated in pathological situations.
4. References
1. Nakao A, et al.: Smad7: a new key player in TGF-β -associated disease.Trends
Mol Med (Formerly; Mol. Med. Today) 8:361-363,2002
2. Nakao A: Is transforming growth factor-β ? the key to suppression of human asthma? Trends Immunol (Formerly; Immunol. Today) 22:115-118, 2001
3. Nakao A, et al.:Identification of Smad7, a TGF-β -inducible antagonist of TGF-β signaling. Nature 389:631-635, 1997
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