Functional analysis of neurotransmitter-producing lymphocytes

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K15153
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Immunology
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Kazuhiro 大阪大学, 免疫学フロンティア研究センター, 特任准教授(常勤) (60611035)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 免疫学 / リンパ球 / 神経伝達物質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We had previously revealed a mechanism by which noradrenaline, the principal neurotransmitter released from adrenergic nerves, controls lymphocyte exit from lymph nodes. Additionally, we had found that fractions of B cells and myeloid cells are capable of producing noradrenaline. This research project aimed to clarify the role of these noradrenaline-producing immune cells in the control of lymphocyte trafficking. To this end, we generated B cell- or myeloid cell-specific knockout mice lacking the gene encoding a noradrenaline-synthesizing enzyme. However, these mutant mice showed no alterations in lymphocyte exit from lymph nodes. These observations suggest that noradrenaline derived from these immune cells makes little contribution to this aspect of the immune system.

Free Research Field

免疫学