Hiroki Kato, PhD

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Hiroki Kato, PhD

*

Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institute for Virus Research

Kyoto university

53 Shogoinkawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 

606-8507 Japan

Phone: [phone]  E-mail: [e-mail]

Current position 

Associate professor in Kyoto University

Research expertise

My research focuses on the mechanisms by which cytoplasmic RNA sensors RIG-I like receptors (RLRs) distinguish 

between viral RNAs and self-RNAs and trigger type I IFNs. Current work examines spontaneous autoimmune 

symptoms in RLR mutant mice derived via mutagenesis and how RLR-dysregulation causes autoimmune disease. 

I am also particularly interested in the analysis of immune responses and pathogenesis in virus infection in vivo and 

autoimmune diseases using mouse models.

Academic qualifications

2005 - 2008  Doctorate, PhD The Department of Host Defense, Institute for Microbial Diseases, BIKEN,

 

 

Osaka University, Japan

2003 - 2005  Master of Science, The Department of Host Defense, Institute for Microbial Diseases, BIKEN,  

  Osaka 

University

2003   

Bachelor of Science, Agricultural and life science, The University of Tokyo, Japan

Postgraduate professional career

2010 - pres.  Associate Professor in Prof. Takashi Fujita’s lab, Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University,  

  Japan

2008 - 2010  Postdoctoral fellow under Prof. Craig Mello, University of Massachusetts Medical School, USA

Honors and awards

2015   

Highly cited researcher

2008 - 2010  Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research Abroad from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science  

  (JSPS) 

2008   

Yamamura Award, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University

2005 - 2008  Research Fellowship for Young Scientists from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science  

  (JSPS)

Most important funding since 2012

2015 - 2017  AMED (rare autoimmune disease project)

2013 - 2017  AMED (HBV project)

2013 - 2016  Japan Science and Technology Agency (PRESTO)

2013 - 2014  Daiichi Sankyo Foundation of Life Science

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Hiroki Kato,PhD 

Publications 

1. 

Kato, H.

, and Fujita, T. (2015). RIG-I-like receptors and autoimmune diseases. 

Curr Opin Immunol 

37, 40-45.

2.  Funabiki, M.°, 

Kato, H.

°, Miyachi, Y., Toki, H., Motegi, H., Inoue, M., Minowa, O., Yoshida, A., Deguchi, K., Sato, 

H., Ito, S., Shiroishi, T., Takeyasu, K., Noda, T., and Fujita, T. (2014). Autoimmune disorders associated with gain 

of function of the intracellular sensor MDA5. 

Immunity 

40, 199-212. °equal contribution

3.  Oda, H., Nakagawa, K., Abe, J., Awaya, T., Funabiki, M., Hijikata, A., Nishikomori, R., Funatsuka, M., Ohshima, 

Y., Sugawara, Y., Yasumi, T., 

Kato, H.

, Shirai, T., Ohara, O., Fujita, T., and Heike, T. (2014). Aicardi-Goutieres 

syndrome is caused by IFIH1 mutations. 

Am J Hum Genet 

95, 121-125.

4.  Satoh, T.°, 

Kato, H.

°, Kumagai, Y., Yoneyama, M., Sato, S., Matsushita, K., Tsujimura, T., Fujita, T., Akira, S., and 

Takeuchi, O. (2010). LGP2 is a positive regulator of RIG-I- and MDA5-mediated antiviral responses. 

Proc Natl 

Acad Sci U S A 

107, 1512-1517. °equal contribution

5. 

Kato, H.

, Takeuchi, O., Mikamo-Satoh, E., Hirai, R., Kawai, T., Matsushita, K., Hiiragi, A., Dermody, T.S., Fujita, 

T., and Akira, S. (2008). Length-dependent recognition of double-stranded ribonucleic acids by retinoic acid-

inducible gene-I and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5. 

J Exp Med

 205, 1601-1610.

6.  Hornung, V., Ellegast, J., Kim, S., Brzozka, K., Jung, A., 

Kato, H.

, Poeck, H., Akira, S., Conzelmann, K.K., 

Schlee, M., Endres, S., and Hartmann, G. (2006). 5’-Triphosphate RNA is the ligand for RIG-I. 

Science

 314, 994-

997.

7. 

Kato, H.

, Takeuchi, O., Sato, S., Yoneyama, M., Yamamoto, M., Matsui, K., Uematsu, S., Jung, A., Kawai, T., 

Ishii, K.J., Yamaguchi, O., Otsu, K., Tsujimura, T., Koh, C.S., Reis e Sousa, C., Matsuura, Y., Fujita, T., and Akira, 

S. (2006). Differential roles of MDA5 and RIG-I helicases in the recognition of RNA viruses. 

Nature

 441, 101-105.

8.  Kumar, H., Kawai, T., 

Kato, H.

, Sato, S., Takahashi, K., Coban, C., Yamamoto, M., Uematsu, S., Ishii, K.J., 

Takeuchi, O., and Akira, S. (2006). Essential role of IPS-1 in innate immune responses against RNA viruses.

 J 

Exp Med

 203, 1795-1803.

9. 

Kato, H.

, Sato, S., Yoneyama, M., Yamamoto, M., Uematsu, S., Matsui, K., Tsujimura, T., Takeda, K., Fujita, T., 

Takeuchi, O., and Akira, S. (2005). Cell type-specific involvement of RIG-I in antiviral response. 

Immunity

 23, 19-

28.

10. Kawai, T., Takahashi, K., Sato, S., Coban, C., Kumar, H., 

Kato, H.

, Ishii, K.J., Takeuchi, O., and Akira, S. (2005). 

IPS-1, an adaptor triggering RIG-I- and Mda5-mediated type I interferon induction. 

Nat Immunol

 6, 981-988.