Intravital imaging of bone cell physiology and bone-resident cancers

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Mutli-dimensional fluorescence live imaging of cellular function and molecular activity
• Project/Area Number: 22113007
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: ISHII Masaru 大阪大学, 生命機能研究科, 教授 (10324758)
• Project Period (FY): 2010-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞動態 / 骨髄 / 破骨細胞 / がん細胞 / イメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

During the last decade, multi-photon fluorescent microscopy has launched a new era. By using this advanced imaging technique in this study we have established a new system for visualizing in situ behavior of a diversity of living cells within intact tissues and organs. Among them, we succeeded in visualizing the various dynamic phenomena within bones, a mysterious organ where various kinds of hematopoietic and immune cells are produced and functioning although poorly analyzed by conventional methodology such as histological analyses with decalcified bones. Especially we have focused on the behavior of osteoclast, a kind of specialized macrophage contributing to physiological bone remodeling as well as to bone destruction in cancer metastasis. In this study we have revealed novel mechanisms controlling migration and function of different bone cells in situ and also propose the further applications of this novel methodology in bone and cancer biology.

Free Research Field

免疫学