Vol. 18 No. 2 (2013)
National Institute of Environmental Sciences (NIEHS),

ImmunoTox Letter Digest

NIH during my studying abroad. I feel it was the mostrecent scene. After the establishment of JSIT’s former
study group in 1994, JSIT had been progressing under

Message from the former JSIT president
Jun-ichi Sawada(Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency)

the leadership of Dr. Hiroshi Nakura, Dr. Motoyasu
Osawa and Jun-ichi Sawada. Although I feel asking for
too much appointment of the JSIT on the process offirm progression, I would like to contribute my mite to

I am delighted that Prof. Takahiko Yoshida was elected

continuous development of the JSIT.

the new president at General Meeting on September 12.

Since the factors (mainly chemicals) influencing on the

I wish our society’s further development under the new

immune system exist around our life widely, member ofboard.

JSIT has wide diversity; drug development, occupational

During my 6 year term, foundation of the JSIT awards,

and environmental health; and academia, businesses anddocumentation of the JSIT annual business plans andpublic administration. Furthermore, the targets of thereports, improvement of the JSIT website, and establishment

research have increased these days, since various healthyof the cooperative framework between JSIT and SOT-ISS

foods, supplementary foods and cosmetics become

were performed to enhance the JSIT activities. I was

popular in general, and genetically-modified products andvery pleased that the previous annual meetings were

nanomaterials are introduced to our daily life. So JSIT is

successfully held, where very active discussion was

expected to work on the various needs of the community

presented. I appreciate great efforts by the board andto achieve the security and peace of mind of people.

committee members and annual meeting presidents andAlthough immunotoxicological research techniques had

their staffs.

been developed based on the international harmonized

I would like to appreciate again all the JSIT (andstandard, from my perspective, recent rapid progression

also SOT-ISS) members for your cooperation andof immunology and molecular biology and those research

participation in the activities of JSIT.

techniques bring forward them into new phase. I had
been studying the immunotoxicology myself from early
1980s. The immunomodulations which I observed but
those mechanisms were unknown in those days became toInauguration address of the new presidentof the JSIT

be ascertained and newly reported in the meeting of JSIT

Takahiko Yoshidarepeats itself” is reality even in scientific researches and(Asahikawa Medical University)“Time flees away without delay”. I will hope the members

in recent years. It makes me realize the proverb “History

of JSIT especially young researchers will fulfill people’s
I assumed the presidents of the Japanese Society of
Immunotoxicology at October 1, 2013 in the annual

expectations and obtain fruitful works using various
research techniques.

meeting. I will write some words of my greeting andwishes.
The Japanese Society of Immunotoxicology (JSIT) is in
the 20th anniversary year. I remember when I attend the
5th International Conference on Immunopharmacology
Meeting at Tampa, FL, UAS in 1991, Dr. Motoyasu Osawa
talked passionately about willing to found the scientificgroup in Japan looks like Immunotoxicology Specialty
Section (ITox-SS) of Society of Toxicology (SOT) in the
USA with Dr. Michael I. Luster who become my boss in
No.2（17） 33

ImmunoTox Letter
20th Memorial Symposium Report

The 21st Annual Meeting of JSIT 2014
（Japanese Society of Immunotoxicology）
Date:

Hidekazu Fujimaki(JSIT committee for Science and Editing)In the 20th Anniversary of Annual Meeting of JSIT, theSeptember 11–12, 2014

20th Memorial Symposium was held with outstanding

Venue:

researchers in Immunotoxicology field invited from

Tokushima Bunri Unversity,

outside and inside Japan. Dr. Motoyasu Oosawa (Food andInternational Conference Hall,

Drug Safety Center) and I acted as chairmen.

180 Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, Japan.

Four lectures were as follows: “Immunotoxicology:

Theme:

Current Situations and future perspective” presented“A Step forward in Imunnotoxicological Studies”

by Dr. Jun-ichi Sawada (Pharmaceuticals and Medical

Special lecture 1:

chronic inflammation-associated organ fibrosis”

Devices Agency), “Molecular and cellular bases for
Dr. Marc Pallardy (Université Paris-Sud)presented by Prof. Kouji Matsushima (The Department

Special lecture 2:of Molecular Preventive Medicine, Graduate School

Dr. Tatsuyoshi Kawamura (University of Yamanashi,
Faculty of Medicine)of Medicine, The University of Tokyo), “Clinicalevaluation of immunotoxicity: Past and Current

Educational lecture:

strategies” presented by Prof. Jacques Desc otes

Dr. Yoshiyuki Minegishi (The university of Tokushima,(Poison Center and Pharmacovigilance Department,

Institute for Genome Research)

Lyon University Hospitals, Lyon, France), “Addressing

Symposium:
Next-generation Approach in Immunotoxicology
Workshop:
Immunotoxicology Methods
Deadline for abstract submission:
June 27, 2014

Uncertainty in Immunotoxicology: Evaluating Risk for
Immunomodulatory Comounds” presented by Dr. Laine
Peyton Myers (US Food and Drug Administration, Silver
Spring, MD, USA)
During the symposium, valuable suggestions about new
aspect for Immunotoxicological techniques for validationand standardization, acceleration of Molecular integrated

President:

biology, translational Immunotoxicology between basic

Prof. Seiichiro Himeno

and clinical trials etc were received. These may be usefulLaboratory of Molecular Nutrition and Toxicology,

for the future perspectives for JSIT members. Finally,

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences,Dr. Motoyasu Oosawa summarized that regarding

Tokushima Bunri University

Immunotoxicological risk assessment and problem

Secretariat:

solving, it has still many questions to answer. However,Dr. Hitomi Fujishiro

he said that we have to develop reasonable evaluation

Phone: +81-88-602-8460 / Fax: +81-88-655-3051

methods and protocol based on the recent International

E-mail: jsit2014@ph.bunri-u.ac.jp

guidance. Finally, it is better to do collaboration between
clinicians, immunologists and toxicologist to promote
the health standard of public and we hope to discuss
the development novel approaches to Immunotoxicology
evaluation in next year JSIT meeting.

No.2（18） 34

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2013)
Chemical-induced autoimmunity

20th Anniversary
日本免疫毒性学会20周年記念
Japanese Society of Immunotoxicology

A variety of chemicals are known to induce autoimmunity
either specific or nonspecific for the drug. Modes ofdevelopment of autoimmunity are not simple, and various

Immunotoxicology:
Current Situations and Future perspective.

factors are involved in the induction or enhancement

Jun-ichi Sawada

cells, proinflammatory cytokines, and ROSs are known(Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency)

as autoimmunity-promoting factors. On the contrary,of autoimmunity. PPAR agonists, interferons, Th17

Treg cells and anti-inflammatory cytokines suppress theAnnual Meeting of JSIT, we had theinduction of autoimmunity. PLNA and autoimmunity

memorial symposium, where the past and current

model mice used to predict the autoimmunity-

immunotoxicological researches are reviewed and futureinducing or -enhancing activities are insufficient, andperspectives were addressed.

novel biomarkers should be developed and evaluated

At the 20thCurrently there are the two major international guidance
documents on immunotoxicity risk assessment: ICH S8

for prediction of autoimmunity-inducing activities ofchemicals.

Guideline for human pharmaceuticals and the IPCS/
WHO Guidance for chemicals. Although their scopes

Intesitnal immunotoxicity

and objectives are quite different, both of them use

In the intestinal tissues, a large variety of lymphoidweight-of-evidence approaches based on significant

and non-lymphoid cells are located and responsible for

immuntoxicological concerns.

acquired and innate immunity to intestinal microbacteria

Recently, a number of novel players involved inand food antigens. Intestinal immunotoxicity can be

immunomodulation have been reported. They include T

defined as adverse effects on the immunologicalcell, macrophage and dendritic cell subsets/phenotypes;

functions of intestine, e.g., IgA synthesis, blocking of

pattern recognition receptors responsible for innate

infectious agents, tolerance to food allergens, control

immunity; and nuclear receptors including AhR, PPARs,of inflammatory responses, maintenance of commensal

RARs, RXR, RORs and VDR. In these situations, I

microflora. Immunotoxicity of various chemicals to

addressed the problems and possible solutions forintestinal tissues may be underestimated and should be

immediate-type drug allergy, drug-induced autoimmunity,

re-evaluated from the immunotoxicological points. In

and intestinal immunotoxicity.

addition to IgA levels and histopathological examinationof intestinal tissues, novel biomarkers for intestinal
immunotoxicity are desired.

Prediction of immediate-type allergenicity
At present, no testing methods for predicting
immediate-type allergenicity. A number of factors are
involved in elicitation of IgE-mediated drug-specificresponses, and they include Th2-prone genetic andenvironmental backgrounds, reactivity of the drug and

Molecular and cellular bases for chronic
inflammation-associated organ fibrosis

its metabolites with proteins, formation of B and T cell

Kouji Matsushima

epitopes, interactions among T, B and dendritic cells, Ig(The Department of Molecular Preventive Medicine,and TCR repertoires, and Ig class switching. Especially,

Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo,

mechanisms of hapten presentation by dendritic or

7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan)

B cells remain unclear. To obtain a good prediction
method, these factors and mechanisms should be further
elucidated.

Organ fibrosis is an intractable, progressive condition
that arises in multi-factorial chronic inflammatory
diseases in which excessive deposition of extracellularmatrix (ECM) severely impairs tissue architecture andNo.2（19） 35

ImmunoTox Letter
function, eventually resulting in organ failure. The

monitoring as well as novel biomarkers of immunotoxicity

cellular origin and molecular bases for the accumulation

are urgently needed. Translational immunotoxicology

of Col I-producing fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, which

could also help improve the immune safety evaluation of

are responsible for the excessive deposition of ECM

drug candidates.

during the fibrotic processes remain elusive. After brief
introduction on the current understanding of the cellularorigin of myofibroblasts, I will present our recent study

Addressing Uncertainty in
Immunotoxicology: Evaluating Risk for
Immunomodulatory Compounds

on the dynamics of fibroblasts in murine experimentallung fibrosis models.

Laine Peyton Myers(Senior Pharmacology/Toxicology Reviewer,

Clinical evaluation of immunotoxicity:
past and current strategies

US Food and Drug Administration
Silver Spring, MD)

Jacques Descotes(Poison Center and Pharmacovigilance Department,

Immunotoxicology in risk assessment has madeLyon University Hospitals, and Claude Bernard University,

great advancements since the first guidelines for

Lyon, France (e-mail: descotes@me.com))

immunotoxicology risk assessment in the 1970s/1980s.
Unfortunately, many of the tools currently in use

The adverse clinical consequences of immunotoxic

for immunotoxicology risk assessment are more

effects (immunosuppression, immunostimulation,

immunosuppression-based and are silent or vague on

hypersensitivity and autoimmunity) are fairly well

how to assess immunostimulatory or immunomodulatory

established thanks to the knowledge gained from major

compounds. One exception would be hypersensitivity.

immunotoxic events occurring during the past 3 decades.

However, even with a rodent model, there are limitations

However, clinical immunotoxicology has long been

to detect moderate to mild sensitizers. Current

overlooked. In the 1980s, 2 publications recommended

guidances (both a 2002 US FDA guidance and the ICH

rather similar tiered strategies to test humans

S8 guideline) do not address much substance outside

potentially exposed to immunotoxicants. Basic tests wereof immusuppression. Granted, a few concepts arerecommended to screen for immunological changes, thendiscussed, but the guidances are mostly silent on a good

more specific tests only in those humans with abnormal

model for immunostimulation or immunomodulation.

results, and finally elaborated or research tests selected

Unfortunately, it is not the guidances that are atcase by case. The inclusion of clinical monitoring during

fault, but of a lack of the basic science to translateclinical trials is expanding, although still often restricted

nonclinical risk assessment to the clinic. Simply put,to drug candidates with expected effects on the immune

we currently lack good nonclinical models for detecting

system. No regulatory document has been published toimmunomodulatory and immunostimulatory compounds

help design clinical monitoring. Current strategies arethat can translate to clinical risk assessment. There isreminiscent of early strategies. The most commonly useda need to identify the current state of the science for

endpoints include blood cell counts, standard clinicalassessing risk assessment models for immunomodulatorychemistry, and lymphocyte subset immunophenotyping.

effects, a need to identify research gaps, and a plan

Immunization studies with vaccines or neoantigens

for updating the current guidances. This hole in our

are the leading assays, which may also include skinimmunotoxicology risk assessment could be an

testing to KLH, lymphocyte function assays, and cytokine

opportunity for cooperation between regulators,

production. The clinical relevance of the generated data is

industry, and academia to help mitigate risks ofstill a matter of debate. Efforts to better standardize andimmunomodulatory and immunostimulatory compounds

validate endpoints and assays currently used in clinicalin humans.

No.2（20） 36

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2013)

Report on the joint symposium at theannual meeting of Japan
Toxicology Society

talks with high scientific findings and deep and wonderful
discussions were made with audiences.
Since this symposium was evaluated as great opportunity

Takemi Otsuki

for both JSIT and JSOT, the next president of annual(Department of Hygiene, Kawasaki Medical School)

meeting of JSOT, Dr. Nakamura K, who is the board
member and chair of international committee in JSIT, is

To celebrate the 20 anniversary of Japanese Society of

now planning to have another collaborating symposium

Immunotoxicology (JSIT), we had memorial lecture andin the 41st Annual Meeting of JSOT, July 2-4, 2014, at

symposium on the 19th and 20th annual meetings which

Kobe Convention Center, Hyogo, Japan, with several

were held at the Jikei University School of Medicine,immunotoxicological researchers in the next generation.

Tokyo and Yoyogi Campus of the Tokai University, Tokyo,

It will be titled “The innovative next generation quest by

respectively.

immunotoxicological researchers (tentative title)”.

th

In addition with these special events, we had special

We should say to all the young investigators in JSIT,

collaborating symposium with the Japanese Society of

the future of immunotoxicological researches are now

Toxicology (JSOT) in the 40th annual meeting of JSOT held

on your hands! See you 2014, at the 21st annual meetingon June 17 to 19. 2013 at the Makuhari Messe Internationalof JSIT in Tokushima as well as Kobe in the 41st annual

Convention Complex, Chiba, Japan, hosted by Prof. Ueno K,

meeting of JSOT.

who had been the president of the 18 Annual Meeting ofth

the JSIT. This collaborating symposium entitled “Recent
progress in immunotoxicology” chaired by Dr. Sawada J

The Outstanding ResearcherAward in annual convention(president of the JSIT) and Prof. Ostuki (secretary of the
SJSIT) was consisted with five presentations as showing
below.
1) Nano-safety science from the view point of imunotoxicology,
presented by Dr. Yoshioka Y and Tsustumi Y.

Enhancing effects of isoflavones on IL-17
gene expression3) Molecular mechanisms of the effects of environmental

Hiroyuki Kojima1, Ryuta Muromoto2,
Miki Takahashi2, Shinji Takeuchi1,
Tadashi Matsuda2

chemicals on differentiation and proliferation of（1Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, Sapporo, Japan,

2) Environmental pollutants and allergy, presented by
Prof. Takano H.

immune cells, presented by Dr. Nohara K.

24) Immunotoxicological aspects of asbestos and relation

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan）

with pathophysiology, presented by Prof. Otsuki T.
5) Overview of the WHO/IPCS harmonized guidance

T helper 17 (Th17) cells, which produce interleukin

for immunotoxiciity risk assessment for chemicals,

17 (IL-17) and other pro-inflammatory cytokines,

presented by Dr. Teshima R.

were recently identified as a novel Th subset andDuring three hours symposium, approximately 300

play important roles in host defense against bacterial

audiences were listened all lectures with enthusiasm

and fungal infections as well as in a wide variety ofand heated discussions were yielded. Since this decade,autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis and rheumatoid

immunotoxicological special sessions had not beenarthritis1,2). In Th17 cells, the transcription of IL-17 ispresented in annual meetings of JSOT, most of audiences

mediated by Th17-specific transcriptional regulators ofenjoyed and had much interest to this symposium.

the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptors a

That day when the symposium was held was big windy(RORα) and γ (RORγ ) 3). In our previous study, we found

day to cause the delay of Keiyo JR line unusually forthat several azole-type fungicides have RORα and/orJapanese railroad time schedule. However, to blow thisRORγ inverse agonistic activity, and inhibit IL-17A mRNA

heavy weather up, all the speakers provided intensive

expression in mouse T lymphoma (EL4) cells4). In thisNo.2（21） 37

ImmunoTox Letter
study, we show that the treatment of T cells with plant-

The Best Young Presenter Award

derived isoflavones resulted in enhanced IL-17A mRNA
expression and protein production, the mechanisms

The inflammatory relative mRNA
expressions of Chemokine in splenicmacrophages from rats exposed to
MWCNT by whole-body inhalationfor 13 weeks.

of which involved the activation of RORγ and signaltransducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3).
The results are as follows.
1. Isoflavones, among the various phytochemicals tested,showed RORγ agonistic activity in the RORγ-meditated

Takamasa Kido

reporter gene assay.
2. Treatment of EL4 cells or murine splenocytes with

（Department of Public Health and Environmental Medicine,isoflavones enhanced IL-17A mRNA expression and

The Jikei University School of Medicine）

IL-17A production in the RT-PCR and flow cytometricanalysis, respectively.

I am very happy and honored to be the best Young

3. An isoflavone, biochanin A (BA), enhanced the interaction
between RORγ and steroid receptor coactivator-1

presenter Award at the 20th Annual Meeting of JSIT 2013.
I would like to sincerely thank you for the committee.

(SRC-1), which can bind to RORγ and potentiate its

In this study, the inflammatory relative mRNAtranscriptional activity, in a co-immunoprecipitation

expressions of inflammatory cytokines and chemokine

experiment using HeLa cells.

in splenic macrophages and T-lymphocytes from rats

4. BA enhanced STAT3 phospholylation in the Western

exposed to MWCNT by whole-body inhalation for 13

blot analysis using anti-P STAT3, and also enhanced

weeks. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) form

RORγ mRNA expression in the EL4 cells.

almost nano-sized fibers. The toxic mechanism of

5. BA failed to induce IL-17 mRNA expression in the

fibrous MWCNT may be closely related to the immune

RORγ -knockdown EL4 cells and STAT3-knockdown

system, which is affected by fibrous materials with

EL4 cells.

mechanical strength. The objective of this study was to

These results suggest that bioactive plant-derived

obtain information to help better explain immunotoxic

isoflavones can modulate Th17 differentiation throughmechanisms of MWCNT in situ. Using whole-bodymediation of STAT3- and RORγ -induced IL-17 gene

inhalation, male and female rats were exposed toexpression. Isoflavones have been shown to have highly

MWCNT at 0, 0.2, 1, or 5 mg/m3 for 13 wks. Thereafter,

estrogenic activity via estrogen receptors α and β.

spleens were removed from the rats. The mRNA

However, it is not known whether these compounds

samples were extracted from isolated activated splenic

affect other nuclear receptors. In this study, we provided

macrophages and T-lymphocytes. Real-time PCR was

evidence for the first time that isoflavones have RORγ

performed to assess the mRNA expression of TNFα, IL-1β,

agonistic activity and increase IL-17 mRNA expression

IL-6, IL-10, MCP-1, and MIP-1α genes in the macrophages,

and IL-17 production.

while T-lymphocytes were examined for expression of
IL-2 and TGF-β 1 mRNA. Relative expression of IL-1βmRNA in the cells from female rats exposed to 5 mg
MWCNT/m3 was significantly higher than that in control
rat cells. For IL-6 and IL-10, cells from rats in the 0.2
and 5 mg MWCNT/m3 had significantly higher levelsof their mRNA expression than did cells from controls.
Expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα genes in cells frommale rats in all three exposure groups were higher than incontrol rat cells. The expression of MIP-1α in the female
5-mg group was significantly higher than that in the cellsof rats in the control and 1-mg group. Only for IL-2 wasNo.2（22） 38

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2013)expression apparently reduced, i.e., cells from male andbetween the development of biotechnology products

female rats in all three MWCNT groups had significantly

and public health implications for environmental agentslower mRNA expression values than control rat cells.

such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and

These data indicate that systemic inflammation would

arsenic. We were one of the first groups to develop

likely occur in rats (or maybe other hosts) exposed tomurine monoclonal antibodies for tumor imaging,

MWCNT via inhalation due to increases in expressions

human monoclonal antibodies for cancer therapy, andof key inflammatory cytokines in splenic macrophages tobone marrow growth factors (GM-CSF and IL-3) for

which MWCNT were distributed. Moreover, decreases inbone marrow transplants. We are now excited about

IL-2 expression in T-lymphocytes may be critical to any

understanding individual genetic risk factors for immuno-

potential reductions in anti-tumor responses that havesuppression by e nvironmental agents and we are

been noted by others in MWCNT-exposed hosts.

embarking on whole genome sequencing studies.
Q3. What are the things you are doing energetically, rightReal Voices of International
Immunotoxicologists

now?
We are pursuing the combined immunotoxic
interactions between arsenic and PAHs in humanWhat

non-Japanesescientists

think

about

peripheral blood T cells. We have found differential

immunotoxicology? What they have experienced and willsensitivity in donors for T cell suppression and we

do future. Their comments would allow us to realize theare interested in exploring toxicogenomic differences

significance of study about immunotoxicology. This time,

between these individuals. We are currently conducting

we interviewed Dr. Scott W. Burchiel from UNM HSC

epidemiology studies in Bangladesh to examine chronic

College of Pharmacy, USA, Dr. Jacques Descotes fromarsenic drinking water exposure and possible immune

Lyon University Hospital, France and Dr. Laine Peyton

suppression. I have also been working with the U.S. FDA

Myers from US Food and Drug Administration, USA.

and the National Center for Toxicologic Research as chair

Let’s go to hear their voices. What do you feel and getof their Science Advisory Board. I have longstanding

from those?

interest in the development of policies for immunotoxicity
assessment in the U.S. and globally. I am also serving

Scott W. Burchiel, Ph.D.

as the Editor-In-Chief of Toxicology and Applied

Professor & DeSantis Chair of Pharmacogenomics

Pharmacology (TAAP) and I invite Japanese scientists to

Dept of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Senior Associate Dean

submit their best work to TAAP for publication.

UNM HSC College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM

Q4. What is required for breakthrough in immunotoxicology
research in the future, do you think?

Q1. What was the most impressive event for you in yourI think that we need to understand the genetic

trip to Japan this time?
I was impressed with the quality of the science being

factors that influence immunotoxicity. Just as we now

pursued in Japan and the excellent research facilities that

understand some of the genetic factors associated with

I saw at universities and elsewhere. Japanese scientists

drug, chemical, and food allergies we need to understandhave a rich history in the development of agents suchthose genetic factors that cause different groups andas FK-506 and now in new product development andindividuals to differ in their sensitivity to chemical

environmental health studies. I was impressed with the

immunosuppression and increased rick of infectious

critical mass of clinicians and basic scientists interested

disease and cancer.

in the field of immunotoxicology.
Q5. Any other comments
Q2. What is the most exciting thing in your career to date.
My career has represented an interesting balance

I would like to thank the organizers for the wonderful
opportunity to visit Japan, which was in fact my first

No.2（23） 39

ImmunoTox Letter
visit. I would also like to see more joint meeting between

could proceed further in immunotoxicity evaluation and

U.S. and Japanese immunotoxicology scientists.

drug development. These advices are thus very close toteaching even though the context is obviously different.

Jacques Descotes, M.D., Pharm.D., Ph.D.

Q4. What is required for breakthrough in immunotoxicology
research in the future, do you think?

Lyon University Hospital

In contrast to people who claim that development
Q1. What was the most impressive event for you in yourof omics or in vitro techniques will be the hallmark of
immunotoxicology in the 21st century, I think that thetrip to Japan this time?
This was my fourth trip to Japan. From a nonprofessional

most valuable breakthrough in the coming years would

point of view, I was very much impressed by the

be to develop translational immunotoxicology. For me,

skytree tower. I think this tower is likely to become

translational does not mean transposing fundamental

Tokyo’s hallmark as widely known as the Eiffel Tower

research methods to the clinical setting, but instead toin Paris. From a professional point of view, I was very

design, standardize and validate assays and biomarkers

much impressed by the number of participants to thisthat can be used in preclinical toxicity studies as wellmeeting of JSIT. I would not expect such a meetingas clinical monitoring during clinical trials. This wouldin Europe could attract as many people even thoughallow investigating the same parameters in animals andthere are approximately 3 times more inhabitants in thehumans using very close conditions and thus improving

European Union than Japan. I would not even mention

our understanding and prediction of the immune safety ofFrance where nobody would imagine to organize such adrug candidates.

meeting due to the extremely low number of expectedparticipants.

Q5. Any other comments

Q2. What is the most exciting thing in your career to date.

and I hope to be able to come to Japan one again before I

I enjoyed the few days I spent in Tokyo very much,
There is not one very exciting thing in my career, but

retire.

two. The first exciting thing is that I can still be excitedby immunotoxicology after 35 years of activity in thisarea. The second thing is that I could be successful in

Laine Peyton Myers, Ph.D.

maintaining a similar level of expertise in preclinical andUS Food and Drug Administration

clinical immunotoxicology over the years.
Q1. What was the most impressive event for you in yourtrip to Japan this time?

Q3. What are the things you are doing energetically, rightExperiencing the new Tokyo Tower was an amazingnow?
My main activity regarding immunotoxicology

event. I was not prepared to experience the amazing

nowadays is education. The word education can be taken

extent and size of Tokyo. It is an amazing city with afrom three perspectives. One is teaching and I do a lot

wonderful history. The tower is a wonderful addition toof immunotoxicology teaching (I also plan to start anexperience Tokyo in a way unlike any other.

international e-learning course on immunotoxicology
next year). The second one is writing books. I wrote quite

Q2. What is the most exciting thing in your career to date.

a few books on immunotoxicology in the past and I am

The most exciting event in my career to-date would

writing a new textbook on immunotoxicology due to be

being part of the review team to approve an entirely new

available freely as an ebook. The last one is consultancy.

set of drugs for Hepatitis C. I joined the Antiviral division

For me, consultancy most often means explaining toat the FDA after most of the major classes of HIV drugs

people who request advice, how they should understandwere developed. However, HCV treatment was still in

immunotoxicity data they have generated and how they

its infancy. Prior to the direct acting antivirals (someNo.2（24） 40