Screening and analysis of glial factors for neuroprotection

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H05648
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: General pharmacology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Kanemaru Kazunori 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 助教 (10456105)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): IINO Masamitsu 日本大学, 医学部, 特任教授 (50133939) ; OKUBO Yohei 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 講師 (40422282) ; SEKIYA Hiroshi 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 助教 (40511374) ; TANAKA Kenji 慶應義塾大学, 医学部, 准教授 (30329700) ; TACHIKAWA Masanori 東北大学, 大学院薬学研究科, 准教授 (00401810)
• Research Collaborator: KITAJIMA Nami 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 大学院生
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: アストロサイト / カルシウムシグナル / カルシウムイメージング / 神経保護因子 / 脳損傷

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In vivo calcium imaging analysis using transgenic mice expressing ultrasensitive calcium indicator in astrocytes revealed that injury-induced astrocytic calcium signals can spread in large area of the brain. This signaling pattern was disappeared in calcium signal deficient mice. Furthermore, we developed new calcium signal deficient mice by astrocyte specific expression of inositol triphosphate hydrolyzing enzyme, IP3 5-phosphatase. Using these transgenic mice, we screened glial calcium-dependent factors for neuroprotection and found that some molecules including glial cytoskeletal proteins may responsible for neuroprotection.

Free Research Field

薬理学および神経科学