Targeted astrocytic functional modification using optogenetics - toward realization of artificial control of the basal ganglia circuit

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K06743
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Nerve anatomy/Neuropathology
• Research Institution: Nara Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Tatsumi Kouko 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (90208033)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 森田 晶子 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (70647049) ; 和中 明生 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (90210989)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): NANBU Atsushi 生理学研究所, システム脳科学研究領域・生体システム研究部門, 教授 (80180553)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: Olig2 / アストロサイト / GFAP / DREADDシステム / 淡蒼球

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We found Olig2-lineage mature astrocytes (Olig2-AS) in the adult brain using Olig2CreER;YFP transgenic mice. They were found to be preferentially clustered in some adult brain nuclei. We made distribution map of Olig2-AS in the adult mouse brain, and compared the map with the distribution of GFAP-positive astrocytes (GFAP-AS) visualized in GFAPCre;YFP mice. Brain regions rich in Olig2-AS tended to lack GFAP-AS. Even within a single brain nucleus, Olig2-AS and GFAP-AS frequently occupied mutually exclusive territories. These findings strongly suggest that Olig2-AS is a subpopulation of astrocytes and that it differs from GFAP-AS in its distribution pattern and perhaps also in its function. Immunoelectron microscopic study showed that fine processes of Olig2-AS are preferentially associated with GABAergic terminals, suggesting they are involved in inhibitory neuronal transmission. We activated Olig2-AS in the globus pallidus by DEADD method, and observe the influence to neural activity.

Free Research Field

神経解剖学　細胞組織化学