Tadatsugu Taniguchi

My research career in Immunology began with the original identification of two cytokine genes and their characterization between the late 1970s and early 1980s, namely, the genes encoding human fibroblast interferon (now known as IFN-b) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). The molecular identification of the products of these and other cytokine genes, carried out by us and many others, made it possible to study their functional properties and elucidate their intracellular signaling mechanism as well as their physiological regulation. These initial studies have led us to further extend the characterization of these cytokine systems in the context of the regulation of immunity and oncogenesis. One of our major contributions is the discovery and characterization of a new family of transcription factors, termed interferon regulatory factors (IRFs). Our current research interests are aimed at clarifying the function and regulation of the IRF family of transcription factors in oncogenesis and immunity. In addition, we also focus on the mechanism of signaling and transcription networks elicited by IFN-a/b and other cytokines, important in the immune responses to pathogens and cancer.