Role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in peripheral tissues

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K12894
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biomedical engineering/Biomaterial science and engineering
• Research Institution: Takasaki University of Health and Welfare (2017); University of Toyama (2016)
• Principal Investigator: Fukuchi Mamoru 高崎健康福祉大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (40432108)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: BDNF / 生体イメージング / 発光 / 脂肪組織 / ケラチノサイト

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is highly expressed in the CNS and contributes to expressing a variety of neural functions including memory consolidation. Here, using a novel transgenic mouse strain, termed BDNF-Luc mouse, I found that BDNF was also expressed in peripheral tissues such as skin (keratinocytes) and adipose tissue. Interestingly, BDNF expression in adipose tissue was robustly induced by high fat diet. The induction of BDNF in adipose tissue was well corresponded with the increase in body weight. These results suggested that BDNF expressed in adipose tissue would be related to pathological obesity and BDNF might be a therapeutic target for pathological obesity.

Free Research Field

分子神経科学