ImmunoTox Letter
English pages

The 19th Annual Meeting of JSIT 2012
(Japanese Society of Immunotoxicology)

Report from the 18th Annual Meeting of theJapanese Society of Immunotoxicology(JSIT2011)

September 15–16, 2012

Koichi Ueno

The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8
Nishishinbashi, Minato-ku, 105-8461 Tokyo, Japan.

(Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University)

Theme:
The 18th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society ofImmunotoxicology (JSIT 2011) was held at “KEYAKI
Kaikan” (University Hall), Chiba University (Nishichiba campus) during September 8-9, 2011. The main
theme of this meeting is “Crosstalk between clinical andexperimental immunotoxicology”.

New aspects of diseases related to immunotoxicology
・Special Lecture:
Dr. Motoyasu Ohsawa(Hatano Research Institute, Food and Drug SafetyCenter)
・Educational Lecture 1:

On the first day, Invited Plenar y Lecture “TheProf. Toru Miyazaki

Histamine H 4 Receptor and Immune Function” was(Laboratory of Molecular Biomedicine for Pathogenesis,

fascinatingly given by Dr. Robin L. Thurmond (Johnson

Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine,& Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development,
L.L.C., USA). In main symposium: “Food Allergy-From invitro prediction test to clinical test-”, we have discussed
new candidate pathway of immunity, animal models,diagnostic methods for food allergy. Dr. Hiroshi Ohno
(Riken) talked about “Food Allergy, intestinal immunityand oral tolerance”. Dr. Haruyo Nakajima-Adachi (TheUniversity of Tokyo) presented “Maintenance of IL-4
production by CD4+T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes

Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo)
・Educational Lecture 2:
Prof. Kazuhiro Kondo(Department of Virology, The Jikei University Schoolof Medicine)・Symposium:
Progress in research of immunotoxicology
Prof. Kou Sakabe(Department of Human Structure and Function,
Tokai University School of Medicine)is indispensable in inducing T cell-dependent food

Dr. Kenji Ishiwata

allergic enteropathy”. Dr. Yasuto Kondo (Fujita Health(Department of Tropical Medicine, The Jikei UniversityUniversity) presented “Development of new diagnostic

School of Medicine)

method for cross-reactivity between food allergens”.

Dr. Yasumitsu Nishimura

Finally, Dr. Gregory S. Ladics (DuPont Agricultural
Biotechnology, W ilmington, DE, USA) presented“Animal Model to Assess Protein Allergenicity: Stateof the Science” as the exchange speaker from SOT
ImToxSS. As a Special lecture, Prof. Chisato Mori (ChibaUniversity) presented “Environmental contaminants
and children’s health”. From the Special lecture, we got(Department of Hygiene, Kawasaki Medical School)
・Workshop:
Oral / Poster presentation
Deadline for abstract submissions: June 25, 2012
President:
Prof. Hiroyuki Yanagisawa

to know the attractive on-going study on fetal exposure

Department of Public Health and Environmental Medicine,assessment in Japan. In this year, “JSIT AWARD for

The Jikei University School of Medicine

Distinguished Contribution” was received by Dr. Takemi

Secretariat: Yuichi Miyakoshi, Toshikazu Koiwai

Yoshida (Council on Pharmacists Credentials), andPhone: +81-3-3433-1111 (ext. 2266)“JSIT RESRACH AWARD” was received by Dr. Ryosuke

FAX: +81-3-5472-7526

Nakamura (National Institute of Health Sciences), bothawards were given first time ever.
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e-mail：jsit19@jikei.ac.jp
http://jsit19.umin.ne.jp

Vol. 16 No. 2 (2011)
On the second day, in the Students and Young Scientists

JSIT prize from academic society

Session, there were 6 of fresh oral presentations and Ms.
Eriko Suwa (Chiba University) received “The Best Young
Presenter Award”. There were also active discussions

JSIT first prize from academic societyin 14 oral and 10 poster presentations. Among them,Takemi Yoshida, Ph.D.

Dr. Katsunori Yamaura (Chiba University) received（Professor Emeritus Showa University“The Outstanding Researcher Award”. As a Master’sCouncil on Pharmacists Credentials Executive Director）

Lecture Dr. Nahoko Kaniwa (National Institute of HealthSciences) presented “Genetic risk factors related tosevere cutaneous adverse reactions” with wide-spectrum

It is my great honor and pleasure to be awarded theSociety Award.

of view. In the Workshop, “Methods of Assessment
for Developmental Immunotoxicity” was discussed byI thank Dr. Sawada, Dr. Maki, Dr. Horii and allmemmbers of the Society.

the chairmen, Dr. Naohisa Tsutsui (Mitsubishi Tanabe

In 1992, Prof. Kuroiwa organized the satellite symposium

Pharma Corporation) and Dr. Tadashi Kosaka (Institutewith the theme of Immunotoxicology on the occasion ofof Environmental Toxicology）with four speakers and19th Annual Meeting of Japanese. Society of Toxicology

audience. “Developmental Immunotoxicology: State-of-at Showa university. This is the beginning of our Society

the-Science” by Dr. Gregory S. Ladics again, “A new assay

Thus, I have joined the Society, just like a charter

system for evaluation of developmental immunotoxicity

member, to date. The articles produced from my groupsof chemical compounds using RSV infection to offspring

are some differences from immunotoxicology, but willmice” by Dr. Wataru Watanabe (Kyushu University ofillustrate that cytokines play important regulatory roles

Health and Welfare), “Studies on the effects of toluene

in drug and heme metabolism. IL-1 conrols cholesterol

exposure on developing immune system” by Dr. Tin-Tin

7α-hydroxylase gene expression, and may involve inWin-Shwe (National Institute for Environmental Studies),

memory and learning. The researchers of mmunotoxicology

and “The ef fect of perinatal/infant Methoxychlorshould keep in mind for the importance understanding

exposure in rat immune system” by Dr. Koichi Hayashi

toxic responses to xenobiotics in relation to their fate and(Institute of Environmental Toxicology) were presented.

underlying mechanism, and the ultimate goal of defining

From this Workshop, we can learn a lot of knowledge about

the relevance of toxic responses for human safety. Finally,

new assays for immunotoxicity during the developmental

as a member of the biginnimg of some 20 years ago, Iperiod.

fervently hope Japanese Society of Immunotoxicology willThus we have studied a lot about immunotoxicologicalsciences from both basic and clinical side. I would like tocontinue to keep its mission alive and expand scientificand social activities.

appreciate all the participants who actively joined passive
presentations and discussions not only from Japan, but

JSIT prize for encouragement

also from foreign countries. We could develop ourselves
though friendly competition to immunotoxicology via
such a fruitful conference, and such willingness might

JSIT first prize for encouragement
Ryosuke Nakamura

contribute future research and clinical field.

（National Institute of Health Science）

I am very honored and very proud to be selected as therecipient of the JSIT first prize for encouragement andtruly appreciate the JSIT and all of the members of theawarding committee for their gracious consideration.
I have worked under the supervision of Drs. Reiko
Teshima and Jun-ichi Sawada, whom I want to thank─ 15 ─ImmunoTox Lettersincerely for showing guidance while giving me theThe Best Young Presenter Award

freedom to continue my projects, and their great support
during all the time.
I also have to say special thanks to my closest collaborators,
Miss Yoshimi Uchida, Mr. Masakazu Higuchi, Miss Ayano
Ishiwatari, and Dr. Rika Nakamura for their devoted

Effects of histamine H4 receptor antagonist
JNJ7777120 on the mouse model of
atopic dermatitis
Eriko Suwa, Katsunori Yamaura
and Koichi Ueno

efforts. Not much of what I am honored for today would
have been achievable without them.
Finally, let me conclude by thanking my family for their
help and encouragement.

（Department of Geriatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University）

Thank you so much again.
Ef fects of the histamine H 4 receptor antagonist
JNJ7777120 were examined for 99 days in an experimental

The Outstanding ResearcherAward in annual convention

model of pr uritic der matitis induced by repeated

A novel animal model of pruritus inducedby successive application of glucocorticoid
to mouse skin

skin of mice elicited frequent scratching behavior andchallenge with 2, 4, 6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB) in
HR-1 mice. Repeated application of TNCB to the backskin lesions within 24 h after challenge. JNJ7777120

Katsunori Yamaura, Ryosuke Doi,
Eriko Suwa and Koichi Ueno

and ameliorated the skin lesions in a dose-dependent（Department of Geriatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics,

manner, whereas the histamine H1 receptor antagonist

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University）(10 and 30 mg/kg) reduced this scratching behavior

fexofenadine had no such effect and did not reduce theinflammation score, even though dexamethasone reduced

The present study was an initial trial designed tothe scratching bouts. Each of the three agents reduced

establish an animal model of glucocorticoid-induced

the increase in the serum IgE concentration induced bypruritus by topical application of dexamethasone over aTNCB, but only JNJ7777120 reduced the number of mast

long period in mice with contact dermatitis. BALB/ccells in the skin lesions elicited by repeated application

mice with chronic allergic contact dermatitis inducedof TNCB. These results indicate that treatment with aby 5 weeks of repeated application of TNCB were treated

H4 receptor antagonist may be effective for amelioration

topically with dexamethasone for 3 weeks from 2 weeks afterof both skin inflammation and pruritus in patients withthe elicitation of dermatitis. Significant enhancement

allergic dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis.

of pruritus was confirmed after chronic application ofdexamethasone. The increased frequency of scratching

Interview with Imunotoxicologists
from around the world (Part 2)

behavior was reduced by withdrawal of dexamethasone.
On the other hand, ear-swelling was markedly ameliorated
by dexamethasone treatment, but rapidly relapsed after

For this issue, we interviewed Dr. Ladics from DuPont

dexamethasone withdrawal. It is anticipated that thisAg Biotechnology, USA and Dr. Thurmond from Johnson

novel animal model of glucocorticoid-induced pruritus& Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development,

will be useful for clarifying the mechanisms of theL.L.C., USA on the occasion of their visit to Japan torebound phenomenon induced by chronic treatment withattend the 18th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society

topical glucocorticoids, and for developing a new form ofof Immunotoxicology held in Chiba on the 8th and 9ththerapy.

of September, 2011. At the Meeting, Dr. Ladics and Dr.
Thurmond gave highly informative talks at Symposium

Reference: Yamaura K. Doi R. Suwa E. Ueno K. J Toxicoland Workshop session, and Invited Plenary Lecture,

Sci. 2011:36;395-401.

respectively. Both lecturers spoke about their current
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Vol. 16 No. 2 (2011)
research interests and exciting developments in theiraccomplishments in the Field of Immunotoxicology fromfields.

the Immunotoxicology Specialty Section of the Society ofToxicology and 2) I became a Diplomat of the American

Dr. Gregory Ladics, Ph.D.,
DABT

Board of Toxicology by receiving my certification in
General Toxicology in 1999. The toughest decision in myResearch Fellow,

career was deciding on whether to pursue an academic or

DuPont Ag Biotechnology,

industry career path. Ultimately, I liked the more appliedUSA

science aspect of industry and elected this career path
more than 20 years ago.

Q1: What was the most interesting thing for you
in your trip to Japan this time?
The most interesting thing for me regarding my recent

Q4: Could you offer some advice for young
researchers who would like to start theircareer?

trip to Japan was my visit to Kamakura with Dr. Kazuichi

For young researchers, particularly those unsure

Nakamura. This was my first visit to the beautiful cityof a career path, I would suggest that they do a postof Kamakura. While in Kamakura, we visited the Greatdoc in either industry or academia to gain additional

Buddha statue, the Kencho-Ji Temple, and the Engaku-Ji

experience and to further help determine the career pathTemple. I also had green tea ice cream for the first time.

most appropriate for them. In addition, I would suggest

It was very delicious.

that they publish their research in the peer-reviewed
literature and present their findings at international

Q2: What are the hottest topics in your field, or
what are the topics you are interested inmost right now?

scientific meetings whenever possible.

One of the hot topics currently in my field of
Immunotoxicology is Developmental Immunotoxicology.
A number of regulatory agencies are trying to determine
what testing paradigm(s) should be employed and how
they should be implemented in the safety assessment
process. The topic that I am most interested in at thistime is protein allergenicity. What makes certain proteins
allergenic and the majority of others non-allergenic? A
number of factors likely come into play such as: 1) age
of first exposure; 2) number of exposures; 3) route ofexposure; 4) quantity of exposure; 5) genetics (i.e., atopy);
6) food matrix effects; 7) concurrent infections at timeof exposure; and 8) protein structure. Why do somechilderen with food allergies to proteins ‘outgrow’ orbecome tolerant to the offending proteins as they getolder? There is so much that we don’t yet know about
the etiology of food allergy.

Q3: What are the happiest thing and the toughest
thing in your career?
The happiest moments in my career were when 1)
I received the Young Investigator Award in 2006 for─ 17 ─

ImmunoTox Letter
Q5: Any other comments.
I really enjoyed my participation on the JapaneseSociety of Immunotoxicology Meeting. There is a large
amount of interesting research in Immunotoxicology thatis being conducted in Japan, particularly by the many
young investigators that participated in the meeting. I
look forward to continual interactions with the JapaneseSociety of Immunotoxicology. For those interested, Dr.
Teshima and myself have put together a symposium
entitled “The Allergenicity and Immunomodulatory
Effect of Food Substances” at the March 2012 Society ofToxicology Meeting in San Francisco, California. In thesymposium, Drs. Ryosuke Nakamura and Tomoko Shindo

Q3: What are the happiest thing and the toughest
thing in your career?

of the Japanese Society of Immunotoxicology will be

The best experiences I have had in my career have beenpresenting their research findings.

when I have moved into new areas. It is always exciting
to learn new things and I have found that non-experts
often bring much needed insight.
The toughest thing is to know when to stop a project

Dr. Robin L. Thurmond, PhD.

and move on. This is especially important in the pursuit

Compound Developmentof new drugs. There are always many interesting ideas

Team Leader,

to follow, but sometimes it is important to focus on those

Immunology Clinical Research,that are the most promising.

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical
Research & Development, L.L.C.,

Q4: Could you offer some advice for young
researchers who would like to start theircareer?

USA

Q1: What was the most interesting thing for you
in your trip to Japan this time?

be afraid if it takes you places you are not familiar

I ver y much enjoyed attending the Japanesewith. Always learn from others around you and neverImmunotoxicology Society Meeting and was impressed

hesitate to ask questions. Also constantly question yourwith the excitement and enthusiasm of the scientists

assumptions and make sure the foundation for them isin attendance. As with any trip I have made to Japan, I

still sound.

Follow what you are most interested in and do not

loved all of the fantastic food and strolling in the beautiful
gardens.

Q2: What are the hottest topics in your field, or
what are the topics you are interested inmost right now?
My interest right now is in reinvestigating the role ofhistamine in human disease. This is an area we thought
we new quite well. However, most of this is based on theutility (or lack thereof) of antihistamines used in the clinicand needs to be reassessed with the discovery of newhistamine receptors.
Welcome party─ 18 ─