2019/01/24
Keio University School of Medicine
RIKEN
Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
A joint research group, led by Professor Kenya Honda of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Keio University School of Medicine (who also serves as Team Leader for the Laboratory for Gut Homeostasis at the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences), has identified and isolated 11 strains of intestinal bacteria from the feces of healthy human donors that activate immune cells called CD8 T cells. The administration of these 11 strains to mice was shown to enhance their resistance to pathogenic bacteria and strengthen their anti-cancer immune responses.
These findings are expected to lead to the development of new preventive and therapeutic methods for infectious diseases and cancer in humans.
These research findings were published in the online edition of the international academic journal "Nature" on Thursday, January 24, 2019 (Japan Standard Time).
Please see below for the full press release.