Details of a Researcher - Fujimoto Yukari

Fujimoto Yukari

写真a

Affiliation: Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry (Yagami)

Position: Professor

Related Websites

https://chem.keio.ac.jp/fujimoto-lab/english/

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Career 【 Display / hide 】

1989.04

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1998

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Research Chemist
1998.08

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2001.03

Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, Research Associate
2002.04

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2003.02

Nagoya University, Postdoctoral Researcher
2003.03

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2006.05

Osaka University, Assistant Professor
2006.05

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2008.02

Osaka University, Associate Professor (Koushi)

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Academic Background 【 Display / hide 】

1985.04

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1989.03

Osaka University, Facluty of science, Department of Chemistry

University, Graduated
2002.03

Osaka University, Ph. D.

Graduate School, Other

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Research Areas 【 Display / hide 】

Nanotechnology/Materials / Bio chemistry
Nanotechnology/Materials / Chemistry and chemical methodology of biomolecules
Life Science / Bioorganic chemistry

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Research Keywords 【 Display / hide 】

Bioorganic Chemistry, Glycochemistry, Chemistry for Natural Products, Chemical Biology

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Research Themes 【 Display / hide 】

Investigation of biofunctional system by utilizing organic chemistry,

1998.08

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Present

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Books 【 Display / hide 】

Glycoscience: Basic Science to Applications 2025

Yukari Fujimoto, The Japan Consortium for Glycobiology and Glycotechnology, 2025
別冊・医学のあゆみ　ワクチン設計のサイエンス，「１１．有機合成化学研究からのワクチン，アジュバント設計―ワクチンアジュバント開発における有機合成化学の貢献と新たな取り組み」石井健　編

井貫晋輔, 藤本ゆかり, 医歯薬出版株式会社, 2022

Contact page： pp 60-65
(Natural product chemistry II ~Gift from nature)

Yukari Fujimoto, Tokyo Kagaku Dojin, 2018
Glycoscience: Basic Science to Applications

Yukari Fujimoto, The Japan Consortium for Glycobiology and Glycotechnology, 2018
エンドトキシン・自然免疫研究20−自然免疫における化学生物学の貢献−, 「糖脂質-GalCerを基盤とした脂質改変型CD1dリガンドの創製研究」，隅田泰生，長岡功　編集

FUJIMOTO YUKARI, 医学図書出版, 2017

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Papers 【 Display / hide 】

Nitration of GlcCer and related complex lipids enhances CD1d bind-ing affinity and modulates immune responses via lipid antigen presentation to NKT cells

Sueyoshi, K., Kawate-Horiuchi, N., Ueki, K., Nozawa, R., Matsumaru, T., Fujimoto, Y.

ChemistryEurope 2025.09

Research paper (scientific journal), Corresponding author, Accepted

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in press
- Access to Document (DOI)
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Phleum pratense pollen-derived di-galactosyldiacylglycerols promote pro-allergic responses in mice

González Roldán N., Lunding L.P., Fujimoto Y., Düpow S., Schwudke D., Wegmann M., Duda K.A.

Frontiers in Immunology 16 2025

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Introduction: Grass pollen triggers nearly 30% of bronchial allergic asthma cases. While most Q8 research focuses on pollen allergens, pollen lipids may also influence allergic reactions. Previous studies demonstrated that Timothy grass (TG, Phleum pratense) lipids, such as phytoprostanes, can activate immune cells, promoting pro-allergic responses. However, the role of water-insoluble pollen glycolipids in allergic airway inflammation remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to isolate and characterize glycolipids from TG pollen and evaluate their bioactivity in allergic airway inflammation. Methods: Lipids were extracted from the water-insoluble pollen fraction, separated by silica gel, and fractionated by HPLC. GC-MS, HR ESI-MS, and NMR confirmed the presence of di-galactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG). The biological activity of fractions containing DGDG (DGDG-3 and DGDG-4) and synthetic DGDG variants was tested in vitro in murine and human cell systems and in vivo in mice. Results: Fraction 4 induced strong proliferation of murine NKT cells and upregulated CD69 expression in human NKT cells. Synthetic DGDG variants (DGDG-1, DGDG-2, and DGDG-3) with defined acylation profiles stimulated robust NKT-cell proliferation, with DGDG-2 and DGDG-3 increasing IL-13 production, one of the key Th2 cytokines. In vivo, only these variants caused lung inflammation marked by eosinophil infiltration but did not increase airway resistance. Discussion: This study reveals for the first time the structure-dependent role of DGDG of TG pollen grains in immune cell recognition in the context of allergic inflammation. Our data may pave the way for therapies targeting lipid components in combination with protein allergens.
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Solid-Phase Oligosaccharide Synthesis with Highly Complexed Peptidoglycan Fragments

Kadonaga Y., Wang N., Shimoyama A., Fujimoto Y., Fukase K.

Molecules 30 ( 13 ) 2025.07

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Peptidoglycan (PGN) is a component of bacterial cell walls; its fragments are recognized by the cytoplasmic receptors Nod1 and Nod2, thereby promoting the production of inflammatory cytokines and antibodies. To further elucidate these biological defense mechanisms, a large and stable supply of the PGN fragments via chemical synthesis is essential. However, the synthesis and purification of long PGN fragments are quite challenging due to their low solubility. In this study, we efficiently synthesized PGN fragments via solid-phase oligosaccharide synthesis (SPOS). Using the JandaJel™ Wang resin (JJ-Wang), an octasaccharide glycan chain of PGN was constructed by repeating glycosylation reactions to elongate β-1,4-linked disaccharide units composed of MurNAc and GlcNAc. To enhance reactivity, glycosylation was performed in a mixed solvent comprising C<inf>4</inf>F<inf>9</inf>OEt/CH<inf>2</inf>Cl<inf>2</inf>/THF with the intention of promoting substrate concentration onto the solid support through the fluorophobic effect, affording the PGN octasaccharide in a 19% overall yield (10 steps). Subsequently, after deprotection of the O-Fmoc, N-Troc, and ethyl ester groups, N- and O-acetylation proceeded smoothly, owing to the high swelling property of JJ-Wang. Peptide condensation with L-Ala-D-isoGln(OBn) and carboxylic acids was also achieved. Finally, cleavage of the PGN fragment from the resin with TFA afforded the desired octasaccharide with dipeptides in a 2.3% overall yield (15 steps).
- Access to Document (DOI)
Lipid structure-dependent CD1d functional stabilization and immunomodulation of endogenous glucosylceramides

Ueki K., Nozawa R., Matsumaru T., Yamasaki S., Fujimoto Y.

Chemical Communications 61 ( 27 ) 5154 - 5157 2025.03

ISSN 13597345

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Newly developed synthetic methods for monoglycosylceramides enabled representative brain glycolipid synthesis. Immunomodulatory activities of the glycolipids were examined via CD1d and Mincle. CD1d strongly bound endogenous GlcCer with longer unsaturated fatty acids (e.g., C24:1), partly inhibiting other antigens and stabilizing CD1d's immunological role in presenting lipid antigens to NKT cells.
- Access to Document (DOI)
Highly Selective Cytokine Induction of Nitrated Lipid-Modified α-GalCer Derivatives Demonstrating High Binding Affinity to the Lipid Antigen Presenting Molecule CD1d

Sueyoshi K., Kishi J., Inuki S., Matsumaru T., Fujimoto Y.

Chemistry A European Journal 31 ( 6 ) 2025.01

ISSN 09476539

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Glycolipid antigens are presented by CD1d on antigen-presenting cells to T cell receptors (TCRs) of natural killer T (NKT) cells, leading to immune responses via cytokine induction. Although various lipid antigens have been found, there are only a limited number of glycolipid antigens having selective cytokine induction. In this study, we identified the glycolipids (α-GalCer nitro-type) that exhibit highly selective induction of Th2 and Th17 type cytokines, with very high binding affinity to CD1d, by introducing nature-inspired nitro-modified fatty acyl groups. The natural nitroalkene moiety of fatty acyl groups in the glycolipids effectively enhances the affinity to CD1d through presumed hydrogen-bonding and NO<inf>2</inf>–π interactions, leading to the distinctive function in cytokine induction and selectivity.
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Reviews, Commentaries, etc. 【 Display / hide 】

“生物有機化学の交差点 ― 人との出会いが研究を深める”

藤本ゆかり

ドラマチック有機合成化学　感動の瞬間100　有機合成化学協会編 ( 化学同人) 198 - 199 2023.07
“脂質改変型CD1dリガンドの創製”

井貫晋輔，藤本ゆかり

月刊ファインケミカル (シーエムシー出版) 51 ( 12 ) 12 - 17 2023
“細菌由来糖ヘプトース誘導体の合成-新たに発見された自然免疫活性化機構”

藤本ゆかり，井貫晋輔

化学 (化学同人) 74 ( 1 ) 68 - 69 2019
“第1部　教育・研究関連のしごと,　大学教員（実験系）”

藤本ゆかり

化学のしごと図鑑　近畿化学協会編 (化学同人近畿化学協会編) 8 - 11 2019
“免疫活性物質としてのリポ多糖とその化学合成”

藤本ゆかり

医学のあゆみ『リポ多糖とその受容体のフロンティア』 (医歯薬出版株式会社) 253 ( 11 ) 1073 - 1076 2015

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Presentations 【 Display / hide 】

Glycolipids; Synthesis and immunomodulatory functions as lipid antigens

Yukari Fujimoto

The International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies 2021 (Pacifichem 2021) (Online) ,

2021.12
,
Oral presentation (invited, special)
Synthesis and immunomodulatory activities of microbial glycoconjugates containing phosphatidyl inositol

Yukari Fujimoto

The International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies 2021 (Pacifichem 2021) (Online) ,

2021.12
,
Oral presentation (invited, special)
Glycoconjugates as immune modulators

Yukari Fujimoto

16th meeting of the International Endotoxin and innate immunity society/The 7th International Symposium on Middle Molecular Strategy (ISMMS-7) (Kobe/ Online) ,

2021.10
,
Oral presentation (invited, special)
Glycoconjugates as immune modulators

Yukari Fujimoto

Asian Carbohydrate Chemistry and Glycobiology Webinar (Online) ,

2021.09
,
Oral presentation (invited, special)
Immunomodulatory glycolipids: synthesis and modulation of cytokine-biasing responses

Yukari Fujimoto

American Chemical Society (ACS) Spring 2021 (Online) ,

2021.04
,
Oral presentation (invited, special)

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Research Projects of Competitive Funds, etc. 【 Display / hide 】

HLAアレルに基づいたbona fide SARS-CoV-2 特異的CTLの同定とその応用

2024.04

-

2027.03

Research grant, Coinvestigator(s)
免疫調節性複合脂質の合成・機能の理解と展開

2021.04

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2026.03

MEXT,JSPS, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) , Principal investigator
ネオ・セルフ脂質抗原分子ライブラリ構築と免疫調節機能解析

2019.04

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2021.03

MEXT,JSPS, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas, Principal investigator
免疫機構の複合的な機能制御を可能とする中分子化合物の創製

2018.04

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2020.03

MEXT,JSPS, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas, Principal investigator
革新的中分子創薬技術の開発／先端的な中分子創薬関連技術の開発

2018

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2021.03

Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), 次世代治療・診断実現のための創薬基盤技術開発事業, Yukari Fujimoto, No Setting

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Intellectual Property Rights, etc. 【 Display / hide 】

化合物、化合物の塩、神経機能調節物質、神経機能調節物質の評価方法、化合物の製造方法、及び化合物の塩の製造方法

Date applied：特願2020-535822 2019.08

Patent, Joint
化合物又はその塩、ナチュラルキラーT細胞活性化剤、及び医薬組成物

Date applied： PCT/JP2017/008381 2017

Patent, Joint
化合物又はその塩、ナチュラルキラーT細胞活性化剤、及び医薬組成物

Date applied：特願2016- 57416 2016.03

Patent, Joint
トール様受容体４活性化作用を有するフニクロシン誘導体及びその用途

Date applied：特願2014-201593 2014

Date issued：特許番号6359409号 2018

Patent, Joint
Novel immunostimulatory molecules

Date applied： PCT/EP2015/072292 2015

Patent, Joint

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Awards 【 Display / hide 】

有機合成化学協会企業冠賞

2021.02

Type of Award： Award from Japanese society, conference, symposium, etc.
Nagase Foundation Award

2016.04
Osaka University Presidential Awards for Achievement

2013.08, Osaka University
The Alois Nowotny Award

2012.10, International Endotoxin & Innate Immunity Society
BCSJ award（Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan award）

2008.07, The Chemical Society of Japan