- Lectures
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences
- Location
B1C Lecture Room, IBMS
- Speaker Name
Dr. Yasutaka Okabe (Osaka Univ.)
- State
Definitive
- Url
Vitamin A is a multifunctional vitamin that plays a significant role in biological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, organogenesis, reproduction, vision, and immunity. One of the most important biologically active metabolites of vitamin A is retinoic acid, which controls the expression of target genes through the activation of nuclear receptors. Retinoic acid is involved in a broad range of immune functions, such as the differentiation of lymphocyte and myeloid cells, class switching of B cells, lymphocyte homing, and lymphoid organization. Our research has highlighted the critical role of retinoic acid in regulating the functions of tissue macrophages. Moreover, we have also discovered a novel role for retinoic acid in the formation of omental milky spots, which are non-classical lymphoid tissues that play a crucial role in the immune defense in the abdomen. In this talk, I will explore the role of retinoic acid in immunity.