Multilateral analysis of microglial function in autism model mice

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K19743
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Nara Medical University
• Principal Investigator: IKAWA DAISUKE 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (00526717)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: ミクログリア / 自閉症 / ニューレグリン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Our research has revealed that microglia also express Neuregulins (NRGs), levels of which are markedly increased in activated microglia. Previous studies have indicated that microglia are activated in the brains of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, we investigated microglial NRG mRNA expression in multiple lines of mice considered models of ASD. Intriguingly, microglial NRG expression significantly increased in ASD-model mice relative to that levels of controls. Furthermore, we observed a positive correlation between NRG expression in microglia and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in mice. To translate these findings for application in clinical psychiatry, we measured levels of NRG expression in clinically available PBMCs of patients with ASD. Levels of NRG1 type III expression in PBMCs were positively correlated with impairments in social interaction in children with ASD.

Free Research Field

神経科学