The research in this department focuses on several viruses and prions that target the immune, respiratory, and central nervous systems, with the aim of understanding the mechanisms by which they replicate and induce disease. Our ultimate objective is to devise ways to control these agents, remove them from blood products, and diagnose them rapidly.
(1) Infections of the immune system
We are working on the mechanism(s) by which HIV establishes a persistent/latent infection of the immune system. In particular, we are currently characterizing Thai and Indian patient-derived HIV subtypes, which are the most prevalent subtypes in the world. In addition, we are characterizing the mechanism by which dengue viruses derived from South Asian countries induce hemorrhagic fever.
(2) Infections of the respiratory system
We recently succeeded in preparing human neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against an influenza virus that induces typical acute infectious disease in the respiratory region. Since the epitope that is recognized by the monoclonal antibodies is highly conserved and has a conformational structure, we are working in collaboration with several companies to develop a new type of vaccine bearing this conformational epitope.
(3) Infections of the nervous system
Borna disease virus (BDV) has several unique infection features, namely it exhibits highly neurotropic, noncytopathic replication and a long-lasting persistent infection. Epidemiological studies have shown that a wide variety of vertebrate species can be naturally infected with BDV. Interestingly, BDV has been suggested to be associated with human neuropsychiatric disorders. Our focus regarding this virus involves: 1) its epidemiology, 2) its replication, and 3) the mechanisms that mediate its persistence and neuropathogenesis.
(4) Blood-borne infections
In collaboration with a company, we are working on methods to remove infectious agents such as parvovirus B19, SARS-corona virus, hepatitis E virus, and prions from blood products.
(5) Rapid diagnosis kits
There are many techniques that are used to diagnose virus infections, namely immunofluorescence, ELISA, Western blot, and PCR assays. We are currently working in collaboration with several companies to develop rapid diagnosis kits against several infectious diseases.
Human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that show neutralizing activity against a broad range of strains within the H3N2 subtype recognize a highly conserved conformational epitope (red and green) within the HA protein. Since similar corresponding regions are also detected in other subtypes, we are currently working on the development of a vaccine that can induce neutralizing antibodies against influenza virus.
We found bornavirus N gene-related endogenous elements in the genomes of several mammals, including humans. Such elements, known as EBLN, may encode functional proteins in some primate species.