KENTA MORIWAKI

Last Updated :2025/06/30

Affiliations, Positions
Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Professor
E-mail
kmoriwakihiroshima-u.ac.jp
Self-introduction
We focus on understanding how cell fate—life or death—is determined, how cells respond when faced with death, and what impact they have on their surroundings. By elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes, we aim to uncover the mechanisms of biological homeostasis, deepen our understanding of various inflammatory diseases and cancer pathologies, and develop new therapeutic strategies. In undergraduate education, I am responsible for teaching biochemistry. Emphasis is placed on acquiring biochemical concepts that enable students to think about biological and pathological processes at the molecular level, fostering deep insights and critical awareness regarding diseases and current therapeutic approaches. In graduate education, my goal is to nurture independent researchers who can thrive on the global stage.

Basic Information

Major Professional Backgrounds

  • 2024/12, Hiroshima University, Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences,, Professor
  • 2020/04, 2024/11, Toho University, Associate Professor
  • 2016/03, 2020/03, Osaka University, Faculty of Medicine, Assistant Professor
  • 2014/04, 2016/02
  • 2012/04, 2014/03, University of Massachusetts Medical School, JSPS Overseas Research Fellowships
  • 2011/03, 2012/03, University of Massachusetts Medical School, The Uehara Memorial Foundation Postdoctoral fellow
  • 2010/04, 2011/02, Osaka University, NEDO Postdoctoral fellow

Educational Backgrounds

  • Osaka University, Graduate School of Medicine, Japan, 2006/04, 2010/03
  • Osaka University, Graduate School of Medicine, Japan, 2004/04, 2006/03
  • Osaka University, School of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Area of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Japan, 2000/04, 2004/03

Academic Degrees

  • Osaka University
  • Osaka University

Research Fields

  • Biology;Biological Science;Cell biology
  • Medicine,dentistry, and pharmacy;Basic medicine;General medical chemistry
  • Medicine,dentistry, and pharmacy;Basic medicine;Pathological medical chemistry

Research Keywords

  • Cell Death
  • Necrosis
  • Necroptosis
  • Plasma membrane damage
  • Inflammatory diseases
  • cancer

Affiliated Academic Societies

  • Japan Society for Cell Biology
  • THE JAPANESE BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY

Educational Activity

Course in Charge

  1. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , Second Semester, Advanced Research on Biomedical Chemistry
  2. 2025, Liberal Arts Education Program1, 2Term, Cell Science
  3. 2025, Undergraduate Education, Year, Physiology and Biochemistry
  4. 2025, Undergraduate Education, 2Term, Introduction for medical research
  5. 2025, Undergraduate Education, 4Term, Clinicobiochemistry
  6. 2025, Liberal Arts Education Program1, 1Term, Introductory Seminar for First-Year Students
  7. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , First Semester, Seminar
  8. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Second Semester, Seminar
  9. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , First Semester, Research
  10. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Second Semester, Research
  11. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , First Semester, Advanced Seminar
  12. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , Second Semester, Advanced Seminar
  13. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , First Semester, Advanced Research
  14. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , Second Semester, Advanced Research
  15. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , First Semester, Physiology and Biological Chemistry
  16. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , First Semester, Advanced Seminar on Biomedical Chemistry
  17. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , Second Semester, Advanced Seminar on Biomedical Chemistry
  18. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , First Semester, Advanced Research on Biomedical Chemistry

Research Activities

Academic Papers

  1. Dynamic movement of the Golgi unit and its glycosylation enzyme zones, Nature Communications, 15(1), 4514, 20240527
  2. A high-sensitivity ELISA for detection of human FGF18 in culture supernatants from tumor cell lines, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 675, 71-77, 202310
  3. EHBP1L1, an apicobasal polarity regulator, is critical for nuclear polarization during enucleation of erythroblasts., Blood advances, 20230412
  4. Generation of transgenic mice expressing a FRET biosensor, SMART, that responds to necroptosis, Communications Biology, 5(1), 20221205
  5. Lewis glycosphingolipids as critical determinants of TRAIL sensitivity in cancer cells, Oncogene, 41(38), 4385-4396, 20220815
  6. Proscillaridin A Sensitizes Human Colon Cancer Cells to TRAIL-Induced Cell Death, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(13), 6973-6973, 20220623
  7. Regulation of the release of damage-associated molecular patterns from necroptotic cells., The Biochemical journal, 479(5), 677-685, 20220318
  8. The scaffold-dependent function of RIPK1 in dendritic cells promotes injury-induced colitis, Mucosal Immunology, 15(1), 84-95, 202201
  9. Sweet modification and regulation of death receptor signalling pathway, The Journal of Biochemistry, 169(6), 643-652, 20210322
  10. MIND bomb 2 prevents RIPK1 kinase activity-dependent and -independent apoptosis through ubiquitylation of cFLIPL, Communications Biology, 4(1), 80-80, 202101
  11. Loss of Rab6a in the small intestine causes lipid accumulation and epithelial cell death from lactation., FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 34(7), 9450-9465, 20200604
  12. The death-inducing activity of RIPK1 is regulated by the pH environment., Science signaling, 13(631), 20200512
  13. Identification of a phosphorylation site on Ulk1 required for genotoxic stress-induced alternative autophagy., Nature communications, 11(1), 1754-1754, 20200409
  14. Necroptosis of Intestinal Epithelial Cells Induces Type 3 Innate Lymphoid Cell-Dependent Lethal Ileitis., iScience, 15, 536-551, 20190531
  15. Establishment of an antibody specific for cancer-associated haptoglobin: a possible implication of clinical investigation., Oncotarget, 9(16), 12732-12744, 20180227
  16. BIG1 is required for the survival of deep layer neurons, neuronal polarity, and the formation of axonal tracts between the thalamus and neocortex in developing brain, PLOS ONE, 12(4), e0175888, 201704
  17. Distinct Kinase-Independent Role of RIPK3 in CD11c(+) Mononuclear Phagocytes in Cytokine-Induced Tissue Repair, CELL REPORTS, 18(10), 2441-2451, 201703
  18. The Inflammatory Signal Adaptor RIPK3: Functions Beyond Necroptosis, INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, VOL 328, 328, 253-275, 2017
  19. A glycoproteomic approach to identify novel glycomarkers for cancer stem cells, PROTEOMICS, 16(24), 3073-3080, 201612
  20. Border Security: The Role of RIPK3 in Epithelium Homeostasis., Frontiers in cell and developmental biology, 4(70), 70, 201606
  21. Necroptosis-independent signaling by the RIP kinases in inflammation, CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES, 73(11-12), 2325-2334, 201606
  22. Regulation of RIPK3-and RHIM-dependent Necroptosis by the Proteasome, JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, 291(11), 5948-5959, 201603
  23. The Mitochondrial Phosphatase PGAM5 Is Dispensable for Necroptosis but Promotes Inflammasome Activation in Macrophages, JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, 196(1), 407-415, 201601
  24. Differential roles of RIPK1 and RIPK3 in TNF-induced necroptosis and chemotherapeutic agent-induced cell death, CELL DEATH & DISEASE, 6, e1636, 201502
  25. A RIPK3-Caspase 8 Complex Mediates Atypical Pro-IL-1 beta Processing, JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, 194(4), 1938-1944, 201502
  26. Programmed Necrosis in the Cross Talk of Cell Death and Inflammation, ANNUAL REVIEW OF IMMUNOLOGY, 33, 79-106, 2015
  27. RIP3 Induces Apoptosis Independent of Pronecrotic Kinase Activity, MOLECULAR CELL, 56(4), 481-495, 201411
  28. The Necroptosis Adaptor RIPK3 Promotes Injury-Induced Cytokine Expression and Tissue Repair, IMMUNITY, 41(4), 567-578, 201410
  29. Necrosis-dependent and independent signaling of the RIP kinases in inflammation, CYTOKINE & GROWTH FACTOR REVIEWS, 25(2), 167-174, 201404
  30. RIP3: a molecular switch for necrosis and inflammation., Genes & development, 27(15), 1640-1649, 201308
  31. Mutation of GDP-Mannose-4,6-Dehydratase in Colorectal Cancer Metastasis, PLOS ONE, 8(7), e70298, 201307
  32. Preparation of branched cyclomaltoheptaose with 3-O-a-L-fucopyranosyl-a-D-mannopyranose and changes in fucosylation of HCT116 cells treated with the fucose-modified cyclomaltoheptaose, Carbohydrate Research, 374, 49-58, 20130607
  33. Whole-body imaging of tumor cells by azaelectrocyclization: Visualization of metastasis dependence on glycan structure, BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY, 21(5), 1074-1077, 201303
  34. A Novel Core Fucose-specific Lectin from the Mushroom Pholiota squarrosa, JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, 287(41), 33973-33982, 201210
  35. The RIP1/RIP3 Necrosome Forms a Functional Amyloid Signaling Complex Required for Programmed Necrosis, CELL, 150(2), 339-350, 201207
  36. Fucosylated haptoglobin is a novel type of cancer biomarker linked to the prognosis after an operation in colorectal cancer, CANCER, 118(12), 3036-3043, 201206
  37. N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase V regulates TGF-beta response in hepatic stellate cells and the progression of steatohepatitis, GLYCOBIOLOGY, 22(6), 778-787, 201206
  38. Analysis of Polarized Secretion of Fucosylated Alpha-Fetoprotein in HepG2 Cells, JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH, 11(5), 2798-2806, 201205
  39. Fucosylation is a promising target for cancer diagnosis and therapy, Biomolecules, 2(1), 34-45, 2012
  40. GDP-mannose-4,6-dehydratase (GMDS) Deficiency Renders Colon Cancer Cells Resistant to Tumor Necrosis Factor-related Apoptosis-inducing Ligand (TRAIL) Receptor- and CD95-mediated Apoptosis by Inhibiting Complex II Formation, JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, 286(50), 43123-43133, 201112
  41. Enhanced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-like Phenotype in N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase V Transgenic Mouse Skin Promotes Wound Healing, JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, 286(32), 28303-28311, 201108
  42. Overexpression of alpha 1,6-fucosyltransferase in hepatoma enhances expression of Golgi phosphoprotein 2 in a fucosylation-independent manner, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY, 39(1), 203-208, 201107
  43. Combination use of anti-CD133 antibody and SSA lectin can effectively enrich cells with high tumorigenicity, CANCER SCIENCE, 102(6), 1164-1170, 201106
  44. Identification of a Novel Type of CA19-9 Carrier in Human Bile and Sera of Cancer Patients An Implication of the Involvement in Nonsecretory Exocytosis, JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH, 9(12), 6345-6353, 201012
  45. Glycomic analyses of glycoproteins in bile and serum during rat hepatocarcinogenesis., Journal of proteome research, 9(10), 4888-96, 20101001
  46. The effect of epigenetic regulation of fucosylation on TRAIL-induced apoptosis, GLYCOCONJUGATE JOURNAL, 27(7-9), 649-659, 201010
  47. Clinical application of a lectin-antibody ELISA to measure fucosylated haptoglobin in sera of patients with pancreatic cancer, CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE, 48(4), 505-512, 201004
  48. Fucosylation and gastrointestinal cancer, World Journal of Hepatology, 2(4), 151-161, 2010
  49. High levels of E-4-PHA-reactive oligosaccharides: potential as marker for cells with characteristics of hepatic progenitor cells, GLYCOCONJUGATE JOURNAL, 26(9), 1213-1223, 200912
  50. Deficiency of GMDS Leads to Escape from NK Cell-Mediated Tumor Surveillance Through Modulation of TRAIL Signaling, GASTROENTEROLOGY, 137(1), 188-198, 200907
  51. Identification of an inducible factor secreted by pancreatic cancer cell lines that stimulates the production of fucosylated haptoglobin in hepatoma cells, BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS, 377(3), 792-796, 200812
  52. Biological function of fucosylation in cancer biology, JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY, 143(6), 725-729, 200806
  53. A high expression of GDP-fucose transporter in hepatocellular carcinoma is a key factor for increases in fucosylation, GLYCOBIOLOGY, 17(12), 1311-1320, 200712
  54. A secreted type of beta 1,6 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V), a novel angiogenesis inducer, is regulated by gamma-secretase, FASEB JOURNAL, 20(14), 2451-2459, 200612
  55. Fucosylated haptoglobin is a novel marker for pancreatic cancer: a detailed analysis of the oligosaccharide structure and a possible mechanism for fucosylation., International journal of cancer, 118(11), 2803-8, 20060601

Publications such as books

  1. 2019, Targeting Cell Survival Pathways to Enhance Response to Chemotherapy, Targeting Necroptosis in Antitumor Therapy., Scholarly Book, Joint work, Chan FK; Nailwal H; Moriwaki K
  2. 2014, Programmed Necrosis in Immunity and Inflammatory Diseases, Programmed Necrosis in Immunity and Inflammatory Diseases, eng, Moriwaki K; Chan FK
  3. 2014, Methods in Molecular Biology, Basic procedures for lectin flow cytometry, Springer, 2014, Scholarly Book, Joint work, Kenta Moriwaki, Eiji Miyoshi, 147-152
  4. 2013, Methods in Molecular Biology, Detection of necrosis by release of lactate dehydrogenase activity., Springer, 2013, Scholarly Book, Joint work, Chan FK, Moriwaki K, De Rosa MJ, 65-70
  5. 2010, Methods in Enzymology, Identification of fucosylated haptoglobin as a novel tumor marker for pancreatic cancer and its possible application for a clinical diagnostic test., Elsevier, 2010, Scholarly Book, Joint work, Miyoshi E, Shinzaki S, Moriwaki K, Matsumoto H, 153-64

Invited Lecture, Oral Presentation, Poster Presentation

  1. Mechanisms Shaping the Inflammatory Gene Signature during Necroptosis, Kenta Moriwaki, The 2nd Annual Meeting of Japanese Cytokine Society 2025, 2025/06/20, With Invitation, English, Osaka
  2. Sweet regulation of TRAIL-induced cancer cell death, Kenta Moriwaki, Cell Death and Immunology Conference 2024, 2024/03/24, With Invitation, English, Hangzhou
  3. Evolutionary origin and conservation of the core molecular machinery for necroptosis, Kenta Moriwaki, 2023/09/01, With Invitation, Japanese
  4. Lewis glycosphingolipids as critical determinants of TRAIL sensitivity in cancer cells, Kenta Moriwaki, Japan-Australia Meeting on Cell Death 2023, 2023/08/17, Without Invitation, English, Australia
  5. The scaffold-dependent function of RIPK1 in dendritic cells promotes injury-induced colitis, Kenta Moriwaki, 2021/12/09, Without Invitation, Japanese
  6. Lewis glycolipids as critical determinants of TRAIL sensitivity in cancer cells, Kenta Moriwaki, Australasian Cell Death Society Seminar, 2021/12/01, With Invitation, English, Australasian Cell Death Society
  7. Regulation of the death receptor pathway by glycosylation: The intrinsic sweet barrier against cancer progression, Kenta Moriwaki, 2021/12/02, With Invitation, English
  8. Lewis glycolipids augment TRAIL-induced cell death by promoting complex II formation, Kenta Moriwaki, The 94th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Biochemical Society, 2021/11/03, Without Invitation, Japanese

Awards

  1. 2013, Travel Grant, International Congress of Immunology

External Funds

Acceptance Results of Competitive Funds

  1. 2025/04, 2028/03
  2. 2024/12, 2028/03
  3. 2024/04, 2026/03
    Permalink
  4. Lewis glycosphingolipids as critical determinants of TRAIL sensitivity in cancer cells, 2024
  5. 2022/04/01, 2025/03/31
    Permalink
  6. 2021/04/01, 2024/03/31
    Permalink
  7. 2021/12, 2024/03
  8. 2020
  9. 2019/04, 2022/03
  10. Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Analyses of the in vivo roles of genes that regulate cell polarity and the elucidation of their molecular mechanism, 2018/04/01, 2021/03/31
    Permalink
  11. 2016/09, 2021/03
  12. 2021
  13. 2020
  14. 2017/04, 2019/03
  15. 2019
  16. 2018
  17. 2016/08, 2017/03
  18. 2017
  19. 2010/08
  20. 2010/03

Social Activities

History as Committee Members

  1. Associate Editor, 2022, Frontiers in Cell Death

Organizing Academic Conferences, etc.

  1. Japan-Australia Meeting on Cell Death 2023, 2023/08, 2023/08
  2. 2024/01, 2024/01

History as Peer Reviews of Academic Papers

  1. 2024, Cell Death and Differentiation, Others, 1
  2. 2024, Scientific Reports, 2
  3. 2024, Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 1
  4. 2024, PLoS One, 1
  5. 2023, Cell Death and Diseases, 1
  6. 2023, PLoS One, 1
  7. 2023, Bulletins of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, 1
  8. 2023, Cell Death and Differentiation, 1
  9. 2023, Frontiers in Immunology, 1
  10. 2022, PLoS One, 1
  11. 2022, Cell Death and Differentiation, 2
  12. 2022, Scientific Reports, 2
  13. 2022, FASEB Journal, 1
  14. 2022, Nature Communications, 1
  15. 2022, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 1
  16. 2022, Trends in Cell Biology, 1
  17. 2022, Frontiers in Immunology, 1
  18. 2021, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 1
  19. 2021, Journal of Experimental Medicine, 1
  20. 2021, Cancer Science, 1
  21. 2021, Trends in Microbiology, 1
  22. 2021, Journal of Dermatological Science, 1
  23. 2021, Biomolecules, 1
  24. 2020, Science, 1
  25. 2020, PLoS One, 4
  26. 2019, Frontiers in Physiology, 1
  27. 2019, Cell Death and Diseases, 2
  28. 2019, Frontiers Cell and Developmental Biology, 1
  29. 2019, Journal of Biochemisty, 1
  30. 2019, PLoS One, 4
  31. 2018, Science Advances, 1
  32. 2018, Journal of Biochemistry, 1
  33. 2018, Cell Death and Diseases, 1
  34. 2018, Cancer Science, 1
  35. 2018, Science Signaling, 1
  36. 2018, Molecular Cell, 1
  37. 2018, Cells, 1
  38. 2018, Cell Death and Differentiation, 2
  39. 2018, Cell Reports, 1
  40. 2018, Medical Sciences, 1
  41. 2018, PLoS One, 2
  42. 2017, Nature Communications, 1
  43. 2016, PLoS Biology, 1
  44. 2016, PLoS One, 2
  45. 2016, Cancer Science, 1
  46. 2015, International Journal of Cancer, 1
  47. 2015, Cancer Cell, 1
  48. 2015, Cell Death and Differentiation, 1
  49. 2015, Nature Communications, 2
  50. 2015, Molecular Cell, 1
  51. 2014, EMBO Journal, 1
  52. 2014, Immunity, 1
  53. 2014, International Immunology, 1
  54. 2014, EMBO Journal, 1
  55. 2014, Cancer Cell, 1
  56. 2013, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 1
  57. 2013, Immunity, 1
  58. 2012, Nature, 1
  59. 2011, Cell Host and Microbe, 1
  60. 2011, Immunity, 1
  61. 2010, BMC Biotechnology, 1
  62. 2010, Glycoconjugate Journal, 1