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Elucidation of glia inflammation mechanisms common to degeneration and demyelination by novel pathogenic microglia

Research Project

Project/Area Number 23K18266
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Review Section Medium-sized Section 52:General internal medicine and related fields
Research InstitutionInternational University of Health and Welfare

Principal Investigator

Kira Jun-ichi  国際医療福祉大学, 医学研究科, 教授 (40183305)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) 山口 浩雄  令和健康科学大学, リハビリテーション学部, 教授 (00701830)
竹内 英之  国際医療福祉大学, 医学部, 教授 (30362213)
今村 友裕  国際医療福祉大学, 福岡薬学部, 講師 (30725122)
Maimaitijiang Guzailiayi  国際医療福祉大学, トランスレーショナルニューロサイエンスリサーチセンター, 特任助教 (60887107)
松瀬 大  九州大学, 医学研究院, 講師 (70596395)
真崎 勝久  九州大学, 大学病院, 講師 (90612903)
Project Period (FY) 2023-06-30 – 2025-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2024)
Budget Amount *help
¥6,500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥5,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,500,000)
Fiscal Year 2024: ¥3,250,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥750,000)
Fiscal Year 2023: ¥3,250,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥750,000)
Keywords脱髄 / 多系統萎縮症 / 多発性硬化症 / シヌクレイン / 小脳型 / 進行型 / ミクログリア / コネキシン / アストログリア / オリゴデンドログリア / 神経炎症 / オリゴマー / 伝搬 / 脱髄疾患 / 神経変性疾患
Outline of Research at the Start

多系統萎縮症小脳型(MSA-C)は変性疾患だが、オリゴデンドログリアにαシヌクレイン(α-syn)が蓄積し脱髄を生じる。脱髄疾患の多発性硬化症(MS)でもα-synが蓄積する。私たちは、高凝集性のヒトA53T変異α-synをオリゴデンドログリアに成熟期に発現させると急速進行型MSA-C、髄鞘形成前から発現させると多彩な症候を示す進行型MSを呈するマウスを樹立した。精製ミクログリアの単一細胞RNAシークエンスにより、炎症性サイトカインを豊富に発現するシヌクレイノパチー関連ミクログリア(SAM)を同定した。本研究では、SAM発生機構を解明してSAMマーカーを確立し、SAM標的治療を開発する。

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We developed a rapidly progressive multiple system atrophy-cerebellar (MSA-C) mouse model. Plp1-tTA::tetO-SNCA*A53T transgenic (Tg) mice that express mutant A53T α-synuclein (α-syn) in oligodendroglia from 8 weeks and develop MSA-C at 22 weeks reaching mortality at 30 weeks. Tg mice had abundant phosphorylated α-syn (pα-syn) deposits and glial inflammation in the brainstem/cerebellum. Single-cell RNA sequencing of CD11b-positive microglia isolated from brainstem/cerebellum and spinal cord of Tg mice revealed a unique microglia cluster that highly expresses Toll-like receptor 2, transglutaminase 2, arginase-1, and various inflammatory cytokines compared to other clusters. These microglia surrounded pα-syn aggregates and increased after the onset of MSA-C. Therefore, we named these microglia as α-synucleinopathy-associated microglia (SAM). A centrally acting pan-Cx blocker, INI-0602, attenuated disease progression and pα-syn burden in Tg mice.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で、従来モデルのなかった、急速に進行する多系統萎縮症―小脳型(MSA-C)のマウスモデルの開発に成功し、ユニークな炎症性ミクログリア群を同定することに成功した。このミクログリア群は、凝集沈着したリン酸化α-synに密着し、発症に伴い増加することから病原性と考えられた。類似の特徴を持つミクログリアを、ヒトMSA-Cや進行型多発性硬化症剖検脳病巣でも認めた。このモデルは、病原性ミクログリアを標的とした治療法開発に極めて有用と考えられる。私たちが開発した中枢神経高移行性コネキシン43阻害薬はこのモデルマウスの障害の進行を有意に遅らせたことから、将来の治療開発の展望が開けた。

Report

(3 results)
  • 2024 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2023 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (20 results)

All 2025 2024 2023 2022

All Journal Article (9 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 5 results,  Peer Reviewed: 9 results,  Open Access: 9 results) Presentation (10 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 2 results,  Invited: 1 results) Book (1 results)

  • [Journal Article] Blood Exosome Connexins and Small RNAs Related to Demyelinating Disease Activity2025

    • Author(s)
      Maimaitijiang G, Kira J, Nakamura Y, Watanabe M, Takase EO, Nagata S, Sakoda A, Zhang X, Masaki K, Yamasaki R, Isobe N, Yamaguchi H, Imamura T.
    • Journal Title

      Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology

      Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Pages: 538-555

    • DOI

      10.1002/acn3.52307

    • Related Report
      2024 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] A rapidly progressive multiple system atrophy-cerebellar variant model presenting marked glial reactions with inflammation and spreading of α-synuclein oligomers and phosphorylated α-synuclein aggregates2024

    • Author(s)
      Yamaguchi Hiroo、Nishimura Yuji、Matsuse Dai、Sekiya Hiroaki、Masaki Katsuhisa、Tanaka Tatsunori、Saiga Toru、Harada Masaya、Kira Yuu-ichi、Dickson Dennis W、Fujishima Kei、Matsuo Eriko、Tanaka Kenji F.、Yamasaki Ryo、Isobe Noriko、Kira Jun-ichi
    • Journal Title

      Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

      Volume: 121 Pages: 122-141

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.bbi.2024.07.004

    • Related Report
      2024 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Astroglial connexin 43 is a novel therapeutic target for chronic multiple sclerosis model.2024

    • Author(s)
      Takase EO, Yamasaki R, Nagata S, Watanabe M, Masaki K, Yamaguchi H, Kira J, Takeuchi H, Noriko Isobe.
    • Journal Title

      Scientific Reports

      Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Pages: 10877-10877

    • DOI

      10.1038/s41598-024-61508-2

    • Related Report
      2024 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Anti-LGI4 antibody is a novel juxtaparanodal autoantibody for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy2023

    • Author(s)
      Zhang X, Kira J, Ogata H, Imamura T, Mitsuishi M, Fujii T, Kobayashi M, Kitagawa K, Namihira Y, Ohya Y, Maimaitijiang G, Yamasaki R, Fukata Y, Fukata M, Isobe N, Nakamura Y.
    • Journal Title

      Neurology Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation

      Volume: 10(2) Issue: 2 Pages: 1-13

    • DOI

      10.1212/nxi.0000000000200081

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
  • [Journal Article] High-dose ubiquinol supplementation in multiple-system atrophy : a multicentre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial2023

    • Author(s)
      Mitsui J, Matsukawa T, Uemura Y, Kawahara T, Matsuse D, Yamasaki R, Kira J, Tsuji S, et al.
    • Journal Title

      eClinicalMedicine

      Volume: 101920 Pages: 1-13

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101920

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Long-lasting pain and somatosensory disturbances in children with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease2023

    • Author(s)
      Ichimiya Yuko、Chong Pin Fee、Sonoda Yuri、Tocan Vlad、Watanabe Mitsuru、Torisu Hiroyuki、Kira Ryutaro、Takahashi Toshiyuki、Kira Jun-Ichi、Isobe Noriko、Sakai Yasunari、Ohga Shouichi
    • Journal Title

      European Journal of Pediatrics

      Volume: 182 Issue: 7 Pages: 3175-3185

    • DOI

      10.1007/s00431-023-04989-z

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
  • [Journal Article] Granulocyte activation markers in cerebrospinal fluid differentiate acute neuromyelitis spectrum disorder from multiple sclerosis2023

    • Author(s)
      Leppert David、Watanabe Mitsuru、Schaedelin Sabine、Piehl Fredrik、Furlan Roberto、Matsushita Takuya、Masaki Katsuhisa、Isobe Noriko、Kira Jun-ichi、Willemse Eline、Oechtering Johanna、Orleth Annette、Meier Stephanie、Kuhle Jens
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry

      Volume: 94 Issue: 9 Pages: 726-737

    • DOI

      10.1136/jnnp-2022-330796

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Iguratimod Ameliorates the Severity of Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in Model Mice by Directly Inhibiting IL-6 Production and Th17 Cell Migration via Mitigation of Glial Inflammation2023

    • Author(s)
      Nagata Satoshi、Yamasaki Ryo、Takase Ezgi Ozdemir、Iida Kotaro、Watanabe Mitsuru、Masaki Katsuhisa、Wijering Marion Heleen Cath?rine、Yamaguchi Hiroo、Kira Jun-ichi、Isobe Noriko
    • Journal Title

      Biology

      Volume: 12 Issue: 9 Pages: 1217-1217

    • DOI

      10.3390/biology12091217

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
  • [Journal Article] Early and extensive alterations of glial connexins, distal oligodendrogliopathy type demyelination, and nodal/paranodal pathology are characteristic of multiple system atrophy2022

    • Author(s)
      Yuji Nishimura, Katsuhisa Masaki, Dai Matsuse, Hiroo Yamaguchi, Tatsunori Tanaka1, Eriko Matsuo, Shotaro Hayashida, Mitsuru Watanabe, Takuya Matsushita, Shoko Sadashima, Naokazu Sasagasako, Ryo Yamasaki, Noriko Isobe, Toru Iwaki, Jun-ichi Kira
    • Journal Title

      Brain Pathology

      Volume: - Issue: 3 Pages: 1-16

    • DOI

      10.1111/bpa.13131

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
  • [Presentation] Differential roles of phosphorylated α-synuclein and oligomers in a novel multiple system atrophy cerebellar type model.2024

    • Author(s)
      Masaya Harada, Katsuhisa Masaki,Hiroaki Sekiya,Dai Matsuse,Hiroo Yamaguchi, Yuji Nishimura,Ezgi Ozdemir Takase, Eizo Tanaka,Tatsunori Tanaka,Yuu-ichi Kira,Dennis W. Dickson,Kei Fujishima,Eriko Matsuo, Ryo Yamasaki,Hideyuki Takeuchi,Takayuki Taniwaki,Noriko Isobe,Jun-ichi Kira.
    • Organizer
      第65回日本神経病理学会総会学術研究会
    • Related Report
      2024 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Glia-neuron transmission of alpha-synuclein oligomers in an aggressive multiple system atrophy model2024

    • Author(s)
      Masaya Harada, Katsuhisa Masaki, Hiroaki Sekiya, Dai Matsuse, Hiroo Yamaguchi, Yuji Nishimura, Ezgi Ozdemir Takase, Eizo Tanaka, Tatsunori Tanaka, Yuu-ichi Kira, Dennis W. Dickson, Kei Fujishima, Eriko Matsuo, Ryo Yamasaki, Hideyuki Takeuchi, Takayuki Taniwaki, Noriko Isobe, Jun-ichi Kira
    • Organizer
      第65回日本神経学会学術大会
    • Related Report
      2024 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Targeting astroglial connexin in chronic multiple sclerosis animal model therapy.2024

    • Author(s)
      Ezgi Ozdemir Takase, Ryo Yamasaki, Satoshi Nagata, Mitsuru Watanabe, Katsuhisa Masaki, Hiroo Yamaguchi, Jun-ichi Kira, Hideyuki Takeuchi, Noriko Isobe.
    • Organizer
      第47回日本神経科学大会
    • Related Report
      2024 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Inhibiting astroglial connexin mitigates restores synaptic loss in animal model of chronic multiple sclerosis2024

    • Author(s)
      Ezgi Ozdemir Takase, Ryo Yamasaki, Satoshi Nagata, Mitsuru Watanabe, Katsuhisa Masaki, Hiroo Yamaguchi, Jun-ichi Kira, Hideyuki Takeuchi, Noriko Isobe.
    • Organizer
      第36回日本神経免疫学会学術集会
    • Related Report
      2024 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Connexin hemichannel blockade ameliorates EAE by suppressing glial inflammation2023

    • Author(s)
      Ezgi Ozdemir Takase, Ryo Yamasaki, Satoshi Nagata, Mitsuru Watanabe, Katsuhisa Masaki, Hiroo Yamaguchi, Jun-ichi Kira, Hideyuki Takeuchi, Noriko Isobe
    • Organizer
      European Charcot Foundation Annual Meeting 2023
    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein is useful to predict multiple sclerosis disability progression2023

    • Author(s)
      Jun-ichi Kira, Guzailiayi Maimaitijiang, Yuri Nakamura, Ayako Sakoda, Yoshie Yamato, Yuki Yanagihara, Yasutaka Iwanaga, Ken-ichiro Yamashita, Akira Yokote, Keiko Haro, Shozo Tobimatsu, Xu Zhang, Tomohiro Imamura
    • Organizer
      第64回日本神経学会学術大会
    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] アトピーは慢性疼痛と疲労の新たなプレーヤー2023

    • Author(s)
      吉良潤一
    • Organizer
      第19回日本疲労学会総会・学術集会
    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Invited
  • [Presentation] Early and extensive alterations of glial connexins in multiple system atrophy2023

    • Author(s)
      Katsuhisa Masaki, Yuji Nishimura, Dai Matsuse, Hiroo Yamaguchi, Tatsunori Tanaka, Shoko Sadashima, Naokazu Sasagasako, Ryo Yamasaki, Noriko Isobe, Toru Iwaki, Jun-ichi Kira
    • Organizer
      第64回日本神経学会学術大会
    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Marked upregulation of GPR17-positive premyelinating oligodendrocytes in multiple system atrophy2023

    • Author(s)
      Yuji Nishimura, Katsuhisa Masaki, Dai Matsuse, Hiroo Yamaguchi, Tatsunori Tanaka, Shoko Sadashima, Naokazu Sasagasako, Ryo Yamasaki, Hiroyuki Honda, Noriko Isobe, Toru Iwaki, Jun-ichi Kira
    • Organizer
      第64回日本神経学会学術大会
    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Calretinin activates microglia to produce CC-motif ligand 2 relevant to clinical severity of ALS2023

    • Author(s)
      Shintaro Hayashi, Ryo Yamasaki, Yuko Kobayakawa, Jun-ichi Kira, Noriko Isobe
    • Organizer
      The 34th International Symposium on ALS/MND
    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Book] Neuroimmune diseases; from cells to the living brain.2024

    • Author(s)
      Kira J, Isobe N
    • Total Pages
      38
    • Publisher
      Springer
    • Related Report
      2024 Annual Research Report

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Published: 2023-07-04   Modified: 2026-01-16  

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