M.D., Ph.D. Professor Dean Thumkeo
The immune system has conventionally been understood as a biological function evolved to protect the body from infections and related threats. However, recent remarkable advancements in the field of cancer immunology have revealed the immense potential of the immune system. Our laboratory is dedicated to exploring these vast possibilities and gaining an in-depth understanding of how immune cells function. Our immediate goal is to harness the power of the immune system to combat cancer. And beyond, we aim to manipulate immune cells for tissue regeneration and to treat degenerative diseases.
Research and Education
Our motivation is to develop treatments for diseases that are currently incurable. By manipulating the immune system, we aim to develop novel therapeutic methods. This requires a deep understanding of both the immune system and the pathophysiology of diseases. Our main research themes include:
- Elucidating the mechanisms of immune evasion in cancer
- Understanding the role of immune responses in skin regeneration
In cancer, a variety of tumor-infiltrating immune cells exist. We have utilized cutting-edge technologies such as scRNA-seq to unravel the immune microenvironment in both mouse and human cancers. One of the key features of our research is the seamless integration of wet lab experiments and dry data analysis, facilitated by a diverse team from various backgrounds.
Having dedicated nearly 30 years to research and education in Japan, along with significant time spent in the US and Thailand, I am deeply committed to creating an international research environment. By mentoring students, I aim to cultivate the next generation of scientists who bring diverse perspectives to our scientific community.
Recent Publications
- Siriwach R, Ngo AQ, Higuchi M, Arima K, Sakamoto S, Watanabe A, Narumiya S, Thumkeo D. Single-Cell RNA sequencing identifies a migratory keratinocyte subpopulation expressing THBS1 in epidermal wound healing. iScience 25: 104130 (2022).
- Kremer KN, Buser A, Thumkeo D, Narumiya S, Jacobelli J, Palenda R, Torres RM. LPA suppresses T cell function by altering the cytoskeleton and disrupting immune synapse formation. PNAS 119: e2118816119 (2022).
- Thumkeo D, Punyawatthananukool S, Prasongtanakij S, Matsuura R, Arima K, Nie H, Yamamoto R, Aoyama N, Hamaguchi H, Sugahara S, Takeda S, Charoensawan V, Tanaka A, Sakaguchi S, Narumiya S. PGE2-EP2/EP4 signaling elicits immunosuppression by driving the mregDC-Treg axis in inflammatory tumor microenvironment. Cell Reports 39: 110914 (2022).
- Thumkeo D, Katsura Y, Nishimura Y, Kanchanawong P, Tohyama K, Ishizaki T, Kitajima S, Takahashi C, Hirata T, Watanabe N, Krummel MF, Narumiya S. mDia1/3-dependent actin polymerization spatiotemporally controls LAT phosphorylation by Zap70 at the immune synapse. Science Advances 6: eaay2432 (2020).
- Shinohara R, Thumkeo D, Kamijo H, Kaneko N, Sawamoto K, Watanabe K, Takebayashi H, Kiyonari H, Ishizaki T, Furuyashiki T, Narumiya S. A role for mDia, a Rho-regulated actin nucleator, in tangential migration of interneuron precursors. Nature Neuroscience 15: 373〜380 (2012).
Laboratory
[Professor] Dean Thumkeo
[Assistant Professor] Somsak Prasongtanakij
TEL: 075-753-9295
FAX: 075-753-9281