Personal Statement
I am a protein biochemist with an interest in the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate extracellular matrix turnover and destruction in physiological and pathological conditions. I am primarily interested in cell-surface large endocytic receptor called LRP1 (low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1) because of its ubiquitous expression and a diverse range of regulatory function.
I completed my PhD in Biochemistry in 2006 at Yokohama City University, Japan. The major achievement of my PhD work was to demonstrate that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)7 binds to cell surface lipids, promoting tumor metastasis. In December 2008, I joined Professor Hideaki Nagase’s laboratory at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology (KIR) as a postdoctoral research associate. My major achievement at the KIR was the discovery that healthy cartilage produces several tissue-degrading metalloproteinases, but they are rapidly endocytosed by chondrocytes through the endocytic receptor LRP1. I then found that this pathway is impaired in osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage, explaining an increase in their proteolytic activities in OA. In 2017, I have successfully competed for a Versus Arthritis Career Development fellowship and started to establish my own research group at the Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool (UoL).
Since I joined UoL, my research has expanded beyond cartilage homeostasis and OA to include skeletal development and lung, cardiovascular and dental diseases through collaboration with scientists and clinicians. In particular, collaboration with Professor George Bou-Gharios enabled to develop translational aspect of my research using various experimental mouse models. In JAN 2023, I was confirmed in post as lecturer.

Research Overview
Endocytosis in Health and Disease
I have discovered that normal healthy cartilage produces several tissue-degrading metalloproteinases, but that many are rapidly internalised and degraded by chondrocytes through the endocytic receptor LRP1. This clearing system applies to numerous biologically active molecules, suggesting that the OFF switch (endocytosis) is as important as the ON switch (synthesis) to keep the constant levels of molecules in the steady state tissue. Furthermore, disruption of this balance results in unbalanced tissue homeostasis, which may become the causes various pathological conditions. My current study proposing this new paradigm on endocytosis and tissue homeostasis expands beyond cartilage to include lung, cardiovascular and dental health and diseases.