Study for the mechanism underlying neuropathic pain focusing on a subpopulation of microglia

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H02522
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Pain science
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Tsuda Makoto 九州大学, 薬学研究院, 教授 (40373394)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 齊藤 秀俊 九州大学, 薬学研究院, 准教授 (90444794)
• Research Collaborator: YASAKA Toshiharu
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 神経障害性疼痛 / ミクログリア / 脊髄後角

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neuropathic pain is a highly debilitating chronic pain condition that occurs after nerve damage. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear, and currently available treatments even morphine are frequently ineffective. We have previously demonstrated that spinal cord microglia are activated relatively soon after nerve injury and play an important role in the development of neuropathic pain. In this study, we identified a subset of microglia, CD11c+ cells, that are activated from a later phase of neuropathic pain. Using mice ablating these microglia or lacking a gene expressed in this subset, we found that these mice did not show such spontaneous recovery of neuropathic pain. These findings suggest that spinal cord microglia are heterogeneous and that CD11c+ microglia are a subset that has a novel role in resolving neuropathic pain.

Free Research Field

神経薬理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

機能的に異なるミクログリアサブセットの存在は，ミクログリア研究の未解決課題の一つである。本研究では，慢性疼痛プロセスに伴ってミクログリアサブセットが出現し，従来報告されてきたものとは全く異なる役割を有することを明らかにした。したがって，本研究の成果にはミクログリアHeterogeneityの実体解明に繋がる大きな学術的意義が認められる。さらに，同サブセットを標的にした新しい鎮痛薬の開発にも繋がる可能性があり，臨床的意義も大きい。ミクログリアは様々な神経疾患に関与することから，本研究の成果は，それらの神経疾患病態メカニズムの解明に向けた研究にも波及することが期待できる。