Michiko N. Fukuda earned her PhD in biochemistry at the University of Tokyo in 1980. She did postdoctoral work at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle prior to her recruitment to Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute in 1982.
1980: PhD, University of Tokyo, Biochemistry
1970: MS, University of Tokyo, Biochemistry
1968: BS, Tokyo University of Education, Botany
Related Disease
Breast Cancer, Cancer, Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation, Endometriosis, Glycosylation-Related Disorders, Inherited Disorders, Ovarian Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer
Chemotherapy effectiveness is often limited by drug toxicity in healthy tissues, although methods that spare normal cells by delivering drugs specifically to tumors may help to overcome this constraint. We have identified a promising tumor-targeted drug delivery vehicle known as the IF7 peptide. Using in vitro assays, we found that the IF7 peptide bound to the protein annexin 1 (Anxa1), which is known from previous studies by others to be enriched on the surface of tumor vasculature in several tumor types. When we injected a fluorescently labeled IF7 peptide into mice with tumors, fluorescent signals appeared in the tumors within one minute of injection. By contrast the tumors showed no fluorescence when mice were pre-injected with anti-Anxa1 antibodies that inhibits IF7-Anxa1 binding, suggesting that the peptide targets tumor by homing to Anxa1.
Effect of IF7-conjugated anti-cancer drug SN-38 on colon cancer mouse model. Activa cancer cells in a large tumor produce chemiluminescence which is captured by imaging. (Hatakeyama et al, 2011).
When IF7 peptide was conjugated with potent anti-cancer drug SN-38 and IF7-SN38 conjugate was injected intravenously to mice with tumors, IF7 could deliver SN-38 to tumors. We found that daily injections of an IF7-SN38 conjugate reduced a large tumor in the mouse without apparent side effects, whereas non-homing peptide-SN38 conjugate or with SN-38 alone did not reduce the tumors (Hatakeyama et al, 2011). The findings suggest that IF7 peptide may represent a clinically relevant vehicle for anti-cancer drugs.
Invasion of the trophoblast into the endometrium, an essential element of embryo implantation, resembles invasion of malignant tumors. At the initial phase of implantation, the trophoblast and the uterine epithelium establish their first contact via their respective apical cell membranes. We have identified new molecules, trophinin, tastin, and bystin that mediate cell adhesion between trophoblastic cells and endometrial epithelial cells at the respective apical cell membranes. Trophinin is an intrinsic membrane protein, and tastin and bystin are cytoplasmic proteins. All of these molecules are strongly expressed in cells involved in embryo implantation in humans. However, trophinin is not expressed in human endometrial epithelia throughout the hormonal cycle, except only those cells located close to the implanting blastocyst. Trophinin expression by endometrial epithelia is induced by human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) derived from the implanting embryo (Sugihara et al, 2008). While embryos invade maternal cells (Sugihara et al, 2007), maternal tissue accepts embryos. We asked what happens in the maternal epithelia when trophinin-mediated adhesion takes place, and found that trophinin-mediated cell adhesion triggers an apoptotic signal in maternal epithelial cells (Tamura et al, 2011).
Distinct signal transduction of trophinin-mediated cell adhesion in trophectoderm cell and endometrial epithelial cells. In trophoblastic cells, ErbB4 (receptor tyrosine kinase) is arrested by bystin/trophinin complex. When trophinin-mediated cell adhesion takes palce, ErbB4 is released from bystin. This allows ErbB4 to be activated by phosphorylation. In endometrial epithelial cells, trophinin-mediated cell adhesion releases PKCd from trophinin. PKCd was then translocated to the nucleus, where it activates caspase 3 for apoptosis (Tamura et al., 2011).
Hatakeyama S, Sugihara K, Shibata TK, Nakayama J, Akama TO, Tamura N, Wong SM, Bobkov AA, Takano Y, Ohyama C, Fukuda M, Fukuda MN (2011) Targeted drug delivery to tumor vasculature by a carbohydrate mimetic peptide. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108: 19587-19592
Sugihara K, Kabir-Salmani M, Byrne J, Wolf DP, Lessey B, Iwashita M, Aoki D, Nakayama J, Fukuda MN (2008) Induction of trophinin in human endometrial surface epithelia by CGbeta and IL-1beta. FEBS Lett 582: 197-202
Sugihara K, Sugiyama D, Byrne J, Wolf DP, Lowitz KP, Kobayashi Y, Kabir-Salmani M, Nadano D, Aoki D, Nozawa S, Nakayama J, Mustelin T, Ruoslahti E, Yamaguchi N, Fukuda MN (2007) Trophoblast cell activation by trophinin ligation is implicated in human embryo implantation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104: 3799-3804
Tamura N, Sugihara K, Akama TO, Fukuda MN (2011) Trophinin-mediated cell adhesion induces apoptosis of human endometrial epithelial cells through PKC-delta. Cell Cycle 10 : 135-143
Tamura N, Sugihara K, Akama TO, Fukuda MN
Cell Cycle 2011 Jan 1 ;10(1):135-43Hatakeyama S, Sugihara K, Nakayama J, Akama TO, Wong SM, Kawashima H, Zhang J, Smith DF, Ohyama C, Fukuda M, Fukuda MN
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009 Mar 3 ;106(9):3095-100Hatakeyama S, Sugihara K, Lee SH, Nadano D, Nakayama J, Ohyama C, Fukuda MN
J Urol 2008 Aug ;180(2):767-71A career history of fundamental discovery and translational research in immunology has guided Dr. Ware to identify new drug targets and develop novel therapeutics. Dr. Ware’s career in immunology and virology began in 1982 when he became a Professor at the University of California, Riverside’s Division of Biomedical Sciences. In 1996, he joined the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in San Diego as Head of the Division of Molecular Immunology. Professor Ware joined Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in 2010, serving as the Director of the Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center and Adjunct Professor of Biology at the University of California at San Diego. He is currently the Director of the Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, which focuses on discovering and designing immunotherapeutics.
As an educator, he taught medical students immunology and virology. He trained over 60 postdoctoral fellows and graduate students who chose careers in research in academic and pharmaceutical science, patent law, or teaching.
Dr. Ware advises scientific panels and review boards for the National Institutes of Health and serves on the scientific advisor boards for the Allen Institute for Immunology and the Arthritis National Research Foundation. Scientific advisor with several biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies on immunotherapy for cancer and autoimmune diseases using innovative approaches to target discovery and drug development.
Dr. Ware’s research program is dedicated to unraveling the intricate intercellular communication pathways that govern immune responses. His work, which centers on cytokines in the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Superfamily, particularly those that regulate cell survival and death in response to viral pathogens, spans the domains of cancer,autoimmune and infectious diseases.
At Sanford Burnham Prebys, Dr. Ware is pivotal in promoting the translation of the faculty’s scientific discoveries. His efforts have led to the Institute’s reputation as a productive and preferred partner in collaborations with Pharma, including multi-year research and drug development projects with Eli Lilly and Avalo Therapeutics. His success translating fundamental knowledge into rational drug design has led to three novel therapeutics targeting inflammatory pathways, currently in clinical trials.
1981-1982: T cell Immunology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute of Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. Tim Springer and Jack Strominger, advisors.
1979-1981: Biochemistry of Complement, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX. W Kolb, advisor
1974-1979: PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of California, Irvine; Gale Granger, PhD mentor.
Distinguished Fellow, American Association of Immunologists
Honorary Lifetime Membership Award International Cytokine and Interferon Society
Hans J. Muller-Eberhardt Memorial Lecture
Biotech All Star, San Diego Padres Awar
“Pillars of Immunology” discovery of the Lymphotoxin-b Receptor, published in Science
Outstanding Alumnus, Ayala School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine
National MERIT Award R37 (10 years), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, NIH
National Research Service Award, NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship
Related Disease
Arthritis, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Crohn’s Disease (Colitis), Infectious Diseases, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Inflammatory/Autoimmune Disease, Inherited Disorders, Leukemia/Lymphoma, Myeloma, Pathogen Invasion, Psoriasis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Type 1 Diabetes
Research in the Laboratory of Molecular Immunology is directed at defining the intercellular communication pathways controlling immune responses. Our work is focused on the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-related cytokines in regulating decisions of cell survival and death, especially in responses to viral pathogens. Translational research is redirecting the communication networks of TNF superfamily to alter the course of autoimmune and infectious disease and cancer.
The molecular elements of this cellular communication network were revealed with our discovery of Lymphotoxin-β and its formation of the trimeric heterocomplex with LTαβ1 and its signaling receptor, Lymphotoxin-β Receptor2. The LTβR revealed a new inter-cellular communication pathway that provides a key mechanism underlying the development and homeostasis of lymphoid organs. A second ligand we discovered, LIGHT (TNFSF14), is a novel ligand for the herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM; TNFRSF14), and surprisingly, the LTβR3 heralding the concept that TNF, LTαβ, and LIGHT form an integrated signaling network thru distinct receptors controlling inflammation and host defense.4
Our investigations into the mechanisms of virus evasion of the immune system revealed an essential role of the LTβR pathway in regulating the type 1 interferon response to cytomegalovirus5 and now recognized as a major defense against other pathogens. LTβR signals differentiate macrophages and stromal cells into IFN-producing cells. LTβR transcriptomics and proteomics datasets we generated revealed a novel constellation of anti-viral host defense mechanisms6. Importantly the role of the LTβR pathway to alter tissue microenvironments by differentiation of specialized stromal cells has implications for promoting effective immune responses to cancer.
The LTBR-HVEM-BTLA Network in the TNF Superfamilies. Arrows indicate ligand-receptor binding (black), inhibitors (red arrow) and bidirectional signaling (dual arrowheads); HSV, herpes simplex virus; CMV, human cytomegalovirus. BTLA and CD160 are Ig Superfamily proteins. BTLA is an inhibitory checkpoint receptor; DcR3, decoy receptor 3 inhibits LIGHT binding to HVEM and LTBR.
The discovery that HVEM is a coreceptor for the immune checkpoint, B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), an Ig superfamily member, established a new paradigm in TNF Receptor signaling pathways 7. Additional investigations revealed the importance of the HVEM-BTLA system in limiting immune responses, including T cell help for B cell clonal expansion, antibody maturation, and secretion8. HVEM-BTLA also regulates control of the intestinal microbiome, limiting invasion of pathogenic bacteria and enhancing Treg cell homeostasis 9. The diverse roles of this pathway are seen in the loss of BTLA signaling from mutations in HVEM frequently present in B cell lymphomas10. Additional layers of immune regulators, CD160 and DcR3, control the LIGHT-HVEM-BTLA pathways, revealing this network as a key mechanism controlling immune homeostasis.
Appreciating the fundamental features of the TNF-LIGHT-LTab Network in effector and homeostasis mechanisms presents a target-rich resource for therapeutic intervention in autoimmunity, infection, and cancer11, 12.
Fusing two immune system proteins leads to a new method of generating antibodies and may advance drug discovery.
San Diego scientists note a resurgence of interest in research on protein family to find new drug candidates.
New study describes the science behind an autoimmune disease treatment in a Phase 2 clinical trial Researchers at Sanford Burnham…
A new flow cytometer at the Institute will help researchers study the immune system with unprecedented resolution and speed. The…
And how this relationship could help fight autoimmune diseases
The new treatment, developed by Avalo Therapeutics with Sanford Burnham Prebys researchers, can mitigate lung damage and improve survival in…
Ware CF, Croft M, Neil GA
J Exp Med 2022 Jul 4 ;219(7):Perlin DS, Neil GA, Anderson C, Zafir-Lavie I, Raines S, Ware CF, Wilkins HJ
J Clin Invest 2022 Feb 1 ;132(3):After receiving his early training in clinical chemistry/biochemistry at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dr. Millán first joined the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation (LJCRF) in 1977, the predecessor of Sanford Burnham Prebys, as a trainee in clinical enzymology. He completed his PhD studies in Medical Biochemistry at the University of Umeå, Sweden and after post-doctoral stints in Copenhagen and LJCRF he was appointed to the faculty at SBP in 1986. He served as Professor of Medical Genetics in the Department of Medical Biosciences at his alma mater, Umeå University, Sweden, from 1995-2000. He was appointed Sanford Investigator at the Sanford Children’s Health Research Center at Sanford Burnham Prebys in 2008.
2018: ASBMR Lawrence G. Raisz Award for Pre-clinical Research.
2001: Gold Medal of the Royal Academy of Medicine and Surgery, Murcia, Spain
1992: Honorary title of AcadémicoCorresponsal at the Royal Academy of Medicine and Surgery, Murcia, Spain.
Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Soft Bones
Related Disease
Arthritis, Bone Mineralization Disorders, Cardiovascular Diseases, Colorectal Cancer, Crohn’s Disease (Colitis), Heart Disease, Inherited Disorders, Metabolic Syndrome, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Testicular Cancer
Phenomena or Processes
Cardiovascular Biology, Disease Therapies, Extracellular Matrix, Protein Structure-Function Relationships
Anatomical Systems and Sites
Cardiovascular System, Musculoskeletal System, Vasculature
Research Models
Mouse
The Millán laboratory works on understanding the mechanisms that control normal skeletal and dental mineralization and elucidating the pathophysiological abnormalities that lead to heritable soft bones conditions such as Hypophosphatasia (HPP) and to soft-tissue calcification, including vascular calcification, that is a hallmark in patients affected by a variety of rare genetic diseases as well as in chronic kidney disease. Dr. Millán’s research has already contributed to the implementation of a novel therapy for HPP, a genetic disease caused by deficiency in tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) function, that leads to accumulation in the extracellular space of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), a potent inhibitor of mineralization. HPP is characterized by defective mineralization of bones (rickets or osteomalacia), and teeth that display a lack of acellular cementum, hypomineralized dentin and enamel, and periodontal defects. Dr. Millán’s team has demonstrated the effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapy using mineral-targeted recombinant TNAP (asfotase alfa) to prevent the skeletal and dental defects in the TNAP knockout mouse model of infantile HPP. This therapy was approved in 2015 for the treatment of patients with pediatric-onset HPP.
Current efforts, in collaboration with Professor Miyake’s group in Japan (https://www.nms-gt.org/en/members), focus on developing gene therapy as an alternative approach to treat HPP. Dr. Millán’s group has also identified key pathophysiological changes that lead to calcification of the arteries in animal models of generalized arterial calcification of infancy, pseudoxanthoma elasticum and related genetic diseases as well as in animal models of chronic kidney disease. His group, in collaboration with scientists at the Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics at Sanford Burnham Prebys, has developed proprietary compounds able to ameliorate the soft-tissue calcification in these conditions and clinical trials are now underway using these first-in-class small molecule inhibitors.
New study shows a single shot may be able to treat a skeletal disease currently requiring nearly daily injections.
José Luis Millán, PhD, has joined a five-year, $13 million program that will study misplaced calcification in the eyes and…
The event celebrated 16 years of progress at the Center and connected scientists with the people most impacted by their work.
San Diego Biotech Networks News
A Phase 2 clinical trial has started of DS-1211 in individuals with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a rare multisystem genetic disease…
A single dose of AAV8-TNAP-D10 may be safe and effective for hypophosphatasia A preclinical study led by scientists at Sanford
Cominal JG, Gobbi Sebinelli H, Hayann L, Nogueira LFB, Cruz MAE, Mello MT, da Silva Andrilli LH, Bolean M, Ramos AP, Mebarek S, Bottini M, Millán JL, Ciancaglini P
JBMR Plus 2025 Feb ;9(2):ziae168Rolf Bodmer earned his PhD in Biochemistry and Neurobiology from the University of Basel, Switzerland, in 1983. Dr. Bodmer trained as a postdoctoral fellow in Neurobiology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and also studied Molecular Genetics at the University of California, San Francisco. He was appointed Assistant Professor of Biology in 1990 at the University of Michigan. There, he was promoted to Associate Professor of Biology in 1996, and then appointed to Associate Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology in 2001. Dr. Bodmer joined Sanford Burnham Prebys in 2003, where he is Professor and Director of the Center for Cardiovascular and Muscular Diseases.
Adjunct professor, University of California, San Diego
1 P01 AG033561 “Genetic Analysis of Drosophila Functional Aging”
Ellison Foundation Senior Scholar Award
Related Disease
Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases, Heart Disease, Inherited Disorders, Metabolic Diseases, Metabolic Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases, Obesity, Parkinson’s Disease
The Bodmer lab is interested in the molecular mechanisms of organ formation, how patterns are generated and how cells and tissue types assume their correct fates and functions. The Bodmer lab is pursuing this interest by studying the genetic functions and interactions that specify heart development and maintain heart performance in the Drosophila model, in the hope of elucidating basic principles in organogenesis and functionality.
Mesoderm
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Cardiac Mesoderm
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Cardiac Cell Types
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Morphogenesis
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Heart Function
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Aging Heart
They study the HIF and Notch pathways in various organismal responses to hypoxia. Both of these pathways as well as mechanisms and responses to hypoxia are of high relevance to cancer research.
They are also studying master regulatory networks in how they control metabolism and obesity. These fundamental studies on obesity pathways will also be highly relevant to cancer metabolism.
By identifying genes in patients and testing their effects in fruit flies, Institute researchers have found new genes that contribute…
This year required dedication, patience and perseverance as we all adjusted to a new normal—and we’re proud that our scientists
The study opens new research avenues for the condition. Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute and Radboud University Medical Center
At Sanford Burnham Prebys, we uncover the origins of disease and launch bold new strategies that lay the foundation for…
Scientists are learning that epigenetic changes, or molecular tags that modify our DNA, can cause your children to inherit the…
You may want to reconsider swatting that pesky fruit fly: Despite appearances, we share more than half of our genes…
Qian L, Wythe JD, Liu J, Cartry J, Vogler G, Mohapatra B, Otway RT, Huang Y, King IN, Maillet M, Zheng Y, Crawley T, Taghli-Lamallem O, Semsarian C, Dunwoodie S, Winlaw D, Harvey RP, Fatkin D, Towbin JA, Molkentin JD, Srivastava D, Ocorr K, Bruneau BG, Bodmer R
J Cell Biol 2011 Jun 27 ;193(7):1181-96Birse RT, Choi J, Reardon K, Rodriguez J, Graham S, Diop S, Ocorr K, Bodmer R, Oldham S
Cell Metab 2010 Nov 3 ;12(5):533-44Neely GG, Kuba K, Cammarato A, Isobe K, Amann S, Zhang L, Murata M, Elmén L, Gupta V, Arora S, Sarangi R, Dan D, Fujisawa S, Usami T, Xia CP, Keene AC, Alayari NN, Yamakawa H, Elling U, Berger C, Novatchkova M, Koglgruber R, Fukuda K, Nishina H, Isobe M, Pospisilik JA, Imai Y, Pfeufer A, Hicks AA, Pramstaller PP, Subramaniam S, Kimura A, Ocorr K, Bodmer R, Penninger JM
Cell 2010 Apr 2 ;141(1):142-53
