Received the "J. Critist Herr Award" (Atsushi Fukui, Lecturer Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology)

At the 36th American Society for Reproductive Department of Immunology held in Baltimore, USA from November 12th to 16th, 2016, Lecturer in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Atsushi Fukui, became the first Japanese person to receive the J Cristian Herr Award.
This award is given to researchers who have been providing research guidance for 10 to 15 years and have contributed to the field of reproductive immunology through basic research and clinical (applied) research. Since 1993, one person has been awarded the award every year from among those who have led the world in the field of reproductive immunology, both past and present.

American Department of Immunology
American society for reproductive immunology

I received the J Cristian Herr Award at the 36th American Department of Immunology held in Baltimore, USA in November 2016. This award is given to researchers who have been providing research guidance (since obtaining a faculty position) for about 10 to 15 years, and is said to be given to researchers who conduct basic research and clinical (applied) research. Since 1993, one person who has led the world in the field of reproductive immunology, past and present, has been awarded the award every year. I was fortunate to receive the award this time. I am the first Japanese person to receive the award. Dr. J Cristian Herr, whose name the award is named after, was the president of the American Society for Reproductive Department of Immunology and unfortunately passed away this year. He conducted research in a wide range of fields, including reproductive biology, Department of Immunology contraception, and cancer immunotherapy. I am truly happy to receive this award, and I would like to continue to work hard to continue to disseminate data to the world and lead the world.

In Japan, where the birthrate is declining and the population is aging, elucidating the mechanism of pregnancy from fertilization to delivery has become an extremely important field. In particular, the endometrium, where the fertilized egg implants and grows, has a sophisticated immune function regulation mechanism that prevents the embryo from being rejected and ensures its development. We have demonstrated the involvement of immune cells in the endometrium and peripheral blood, especially NK cells, in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy through NK cell surface antigens, especially natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) expression, and cytokines produced by NK cells. In reproductive disorders such as infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and endometriosis, and pregnancy disorders such as pregnancy-induced hypertension and gestational diabetes, abnormalities in NK cell surface antigen expression and cytokine production are observed, and by correcting these abnormalities, it is possible to obtain a good pregnancy prognosis. There are still many parts of the mechanism of pregnancy maintenance that are not yet understood, and there are many infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss patients whose immunity is thought to be involved. Now that measures against the declining birthrate are being strongly advocated, our research has the potential to be of great benefit to these people.

NK cells were collected from peripheral blood, endometrium, decidua, and ascites, and surface antigens expressed on the cell surface and intracellular cytokine production were measured by flow cytometry. These abnormalities in various diseases were clarified. We showed that changes in the composition ratio of NK cells cause infertility and miscarriage, and further revealed that these composition ratios can be changed by the action of seminal plasma during intercourse and by drugs such as immunoglobulin, intralipid, danazol, and GnRH agonists, indicating the possibility of treatment. NK cells express receptors called natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs), which affect cytotoxicity and cytokine production. We showed that the expression of NKp46, one of the NCRs, changes in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss and infertility, and that NCR expression is involved in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. We also showed that cytokines produced by NK cells change in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss and infertility. We showed that these abnormalities in NCR expression and NK cell-produced cytokines exist even after pregnancy is established, and are related to the onset and progression of pregnancy-induced hypertension and gestational diabetes. Furthermore, it has been shown that NCR abnormalities are also present in endometriosis patients, which can lead to infertility. Elucidation of NCR and reproductive abnormalities is likely to lead to the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods for infertility, miscarriage, and obstetric abnormalities.

We will continue our research to clarify the details and also provide guidance to the next generation of researchers to further develop our research.

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Science Research Grant, AMED, etc.

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, Journal of Reproductive Immunology, Fertility and Sterility, etc.