Shizuo Akira

Research summary

Toll-like-receptor (TLR) signaling pathways were reviewed in 2003 with focus on how the 10+ mammalian TLR family members recognize conserved microbial components to launch innate inflammatory responses and shape adaptive immunity, with the MyD88-dependent and -independent signaling axes detailed for the inflammatory response [1]. Species-specific recognition of single-stranded RNA was then established: guanosine- and uridine-rich ssRNA oligonucleotides derived from HIV-1 stimulated dendritic cells and macrophages to secrete IFN-α and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Using TLR-deficient mice and genetic complementation, murine TLR7 and human TLR8 were identified as the species-specific innate receptors for ssRNA, placing antiviral ssRNA sensing within the TLR family [3]. A 2012 community-authored guidelines paper updated the standards for monitoring autophagy in different organisms, noting the rapid expansion of the field and the persistent confusion about acceptable assays, particularly the distinction between measurements of autophagic flux versus static autophagosome markers, and providing guidance for multicellular eukaryotic experiments [2].

Recent publications

1. Pathogen Recognition and Innate Immunity2006 · Cell · 11784 citationsDOI
2. The role of pattern-recognition receptors in innate immunity: update on Toll-like receptors2010 · Nature Immunology · 9016 citationsDOI
3. Pattern Recognition Receptors and Inflammation2010 · Cell · 8587 citationsDOI
4. Toll-like receptor signalling2004 · Nature reviews. Immunology · 8208 citationsDOI
5. Toll-Like Receptors2003 · Annual Review of Immunology · 6143 citationsDOI
6. Toll-like receptors: critical proteins linking innate and acquired immunity2001 · Nature Immunology · 4762 citationsDOI
7. Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy2012 · Autophagy · 4039 citationsDOI
8. Species-Specific Recognition of Single-Stranded RNA via Toll-like Receptor 7 and 82004 · Science · 3891 citationsDOI
9. The RNA helicase RIG-I has an essential function in double-stranded RNA-induced innate antiviral responses2004 · Nature Immunology · 3863 citationsDOI
10. Differential roles of MDA5 and RIG-I helicases in the recognition of RNA viruses2006 · Nature · 3802 citationsDOI

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How to apply

Email Shizuo Akira 6-12 months before your application deadline. Read several recent papers and reference specific work in your message. Use our how to email a Japanese professor guide for the proven email structure.

For applications via MEXT scholarship: see our MEXT 2027 complete guide and university-specific University Recommendation track.

External profiles

• ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7602-9617
• OpenAlex: openalex.org

Profile compiled from public sources (Researchmap, OpenAlex, The University of Tokyo faculty directory). Last refreshed 2026-05. Report incorrect information.