Shin Ohta, MD, PhD

Where do you work?

Showa University, Tokyo, Japan

What are your research interests?

I am interested in clarifying pathogenesis of asthma from allergic inflammation to airway remodeling. I have engaged in basic research projects mainly employing a murine asthma model. From a study examining the effect of tiotropium (muscarinic receptor antagonist) on murine asthma model, we confirmed that the tiotropium has anti-inflammatory effects, which is cited in the asthma prevention and management guidelines in Japan (Ohta S et al. Clin Exp Allergy 2010;40(8):1266-75). We also reported that mechanical stress caused by methacholine inhalation induces the airway inflammation and remodeling in murine asthma model (Miyata Y, Ohta S et al. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2020;181(12):897-907).
Other interest is about a role of macrophages in allergic inflammation. We have reported that alternatively activated macrophages are involved in the development of allergic airway inflammation in murine asthma model. Moreover, we also showed that group V PLA2 is involved in differentiation of macrophage to alternatively activated macrophage (Ohta S et al. J Immunol 2013;190(12):5927-38). Recently, we also reported that muscarinic M3 receptor contributes to the development of M2 macrophages in allergic inflammation (Jinno M, Ohta S et al. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2024. Online ahead of print. Doi: 10.1159/000538126).

Who nominated you to join the Collegium?

Prof. Joshua A Boyce

How has being a member of the Collegium benefited your career?

Thank you so much for having me as a member of the CIA. This will be a very important place for me to present my research and have discussions with other researchers in the future.

Inducted into the Collegium: October 2023