Inner ear pathology

Our goal is to resolve the molecular mechanisms of sensorineural hearing impairment, which is known to show the highest prevalence in the peripheral nervous disorders, and thereby establish the fundamental treatment of inner ear damage. The accumulating evidence for the genetic relevance of sensorineural deafness has been generated by discover of the deafness genes of human studies. We have already reported that the mutations of GJB2 gene and mitochondrial genes are most popular in deafness peoples. Especially, common mutations of GJB2 gene could be examined by the quantitative real-time PCR for a rapid time and in massive samples, which makes neonatal blood screening of hereditary deafness and provides early treatment of communication disorders. In order to establish the fundamental treatment of genetic deafness, the animal model of GJB2 mutation has been developed. The transgenic approach resulted in the generation of a mouse model of both dominant-negative mutation and recessive mutation. Both mouse models showed a congenital deafness similar to humans. Our future research includes the genetic therapy to rescue the deafness. Another theme of research is a clinical application of a novel type of implantable hearing aid to patients of sensorineural hearing loss

Immunology of the upper airways

Our goal is to resolve the molecular mechanisms of sensorineural hearing impairment, which is known to show the highest prevalence in the peripheral nervous disorders, and thereby establish the fundamental treatment of inner ear damage. The accumulating evidence for the genetic relevance of sensorineural deafness has been generated by discover of the deafness genes of human studies. We have already reported that the mutations of GJB2 gene and mitochondrial genes are most popular in Japanese deafness peoples. Especially, common mutations of GJB2 gene could be examined by the quantitative real-time PCR for a rapid time and in massive samples, which makes neonatal blood screening of hereditary deafness and provides early treatment of communication disorders. Upper airway disorders include allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea, etc. We investigated the immunological backgrounds of the upper airway mucosal pathology in the basis of cytokines, inflammatory cells, signal transduction, and membrane physiology. The final goal is to establish the tailor-made medicine and surgery to improve the inflammatory conditions of upper airway mucosa by means of molecular engineering of DNA tip.

Head and Neck Oncology

Treatment of head and neck cancer has been tremendously developed by the modern introduction of chemoradiotherapy including super-selective transfusion of massive anti-caner drug to preserve the function. Recent advancement of plastic surgery following a wide resection of head and neck cancer also gave functional and cosmetic benefits. We promote basic research of head and neck oncology to create novel modality of treatment as well as clinical achievement.

Epigenetic research and liquid biopsy assays in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Genetic analysis of patients with Usher syndrome.

Analyze cochlear tissue sections by mass microscopy

Our research group is focused on epigenomic, transcriptomic and electron microscopic approaches to study cancer for understanding head and neck cancer biology as well as to discover novel therapeutic approaches (precision medicine). Our group has discovered the functionality of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the head and neck cancer. Current studies are focused on identifying epigenetic mechanisms of head and neck cancer patients to identify open clinical translation that may benefit the individual patient. Additional research is focused on liquid biopsy utilizing cell-free DNA and circulating tumor cells found in the blood for early detection that are common in head and neck cancer. Our previous works led to the identification TET mRNA is downregulated in HNSCC owing to DNA methylation (Oncotarget 2018). This may be a critical event in HNSCC progression. Furthermore, we found that 5-hmC levels were decreased in HNSCC tissues and were correlated with TET expression levels. Taken together, reduced TET expression and subsequent 5-hmC loss may be crucial in the development of HNSCC and epigenetic treatments (J of Cancer 2019). Currently efforts are underway to extend the molecular biologic and electron microscopic approach to head and neck cancers.