Research
Faculty Members
Clinical Science and Biomedicine（Medical and Health Sciences）
Fujio YasushiProfessor
Academic (Educational) Background
1994.2PhD, Postgraduate Course of Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University
1987.3MD, Undergraduate Course of Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University
Professional Career
2009.10-Professor,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University
2002.9-2009.9Associate Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University
1999.9-2002.8Research Resident, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University
1997.9-1999.8Postdoctoral fellow, St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Boston
1995.1-1997.8Research Resident, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University
1992.7-1994.12 Physician, Division of Cardiology, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases
1991.6-1992.6 Medical Intern, Osaka University Medical Hospital
Research theme
Cytokine signaling in the heart
Cardiac homeostasis is maintained by various kinds of cytokines and growth factors. We have been investigating the pathophysiological significances of IL-6 family cytokines in the heart by focusing on STAT proteins, signaling molecules downstream of IL-6 family cytokines. The goal of this study is to develop a novel strategy of cardioprotection utilizing cytokine signaling.
Molecular and cellular basis of myocardial repair/regeneration in mammals
Though the regenerative activity of adult mammalian heart is considered limited in general, myocardial recovery from inflammation-induced injury is frequently observed in the patients with myocarditis. In this project, we will make clear the molecular and cellular mechanisms of myocardial repair/regeneration in the healing process of myocarditis.
Myocardial inflammation after infarction
In response to myocardial injury induced by infarction, inflammatory cells infiltrate into heart and modulate cardiac remodeling; however, the characteristics of the infiltrating cells remain to be precisely defined. The aim of this project is to classify these inflammatory cells into subgroups based on their gene expression profile and elucidate their functions.
Clinical pharmacology in cardiovascular diseases
This project is conducted in collaboration with Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Our interest is to realize the proper use of the drugs for cardiovascular diseases. We are also interested in onco-cardiology, the research on cardiovascular adverse events caused by anti-tumor drugs.
Representative achievements
Matsumoto, K., et al. Blockade of NKG2D/NKG2D ligand interaction attenuated cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction. Cardiovasc. Res. 2019; 115: 765-75.
Miyawaki, A., et al. Adult murine cardiomyocytes exhibit regenerative activity with cell cycle reentry through STAT3 in the healing process of myocarditis. Sci. Rep. 2017; 7: 1407
Kumagai, S., et al. Myeloid cell-derived LRG attenuates adverse cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction. Cardiovasc. Res. 2016; 109: 272-282.
Yamashita, T., et al. IL-6-mediated Th17 differentiation through RORγt is essential for the initiation of experimental autoimmune myocarditis. Cardiovasc. Res. 2011; 91, 640-648.
Obana, M., et al. Therapeutic activation of STAT3 by interleukin-11 ameliorates cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction. Circulation 2010; 121, 684-691.
Oshima, Y., et al. STAT3 mediates cardioprotection against ischemia / reperfusion injury through metallothionein induction in the heart. Cardiovasc. Res. 2005; 65, 428-435
Osugi, T., et al. Cardiac-specific activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 promotes vascular formation in the heart. J. Biol. Chem. 2002; 277, 6676-6681.
Fujio, Y., et al. Akt promotes survival of cardiomyocytes in vitro and protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury in mouse heart. Circulation 2000; 101, 660-667.
Fulton, D., et al. Regulation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide production by the protein kinase Akt. Nature 1999; 399, 597-601.
Fujio, Y., et al. Signals through gp130 upregulate bcl-x gene expression via STAT1- binding cis-element in cardiac myocytes. J. Clin. Invest. 1997; 99, 2898-2905.
