Time-dependent change of cellular inflammation-related response

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K20627
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Orthodontics/Pediatric dentistry
• Research Institution: Health Sciences University of Hokkaido (2017); Hokkaido University (2016)
• Principal Investigator: Nishide Shinya 北海道医療大学, リハビリテーション科学部, 講師 (40451398)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 概日リズム / 蛍光イメージング / 炎症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Circadian rhythms are crucial factors in the regulation of a wide range of physiological processes including inflammation. Inflammatory responses to bacterial infection are higher during daytime in some organs in nocturnal rodents (nighttime in human), and such daily variations seem to be controlled by clock genes. However, the molecular link between clock genes and rhythms in inflammation remains to be elucidated. We analyzed intracellular activity of inflammatory markers using fluorescence microscopy with biosensors based on the principle of FRET. FRET is an energy transfer phenomenon between two different fluorescent proteins. We used biosensors which respond to inflammation and change their emitting wavelength. Reaction of biosensors to inflammatory agents displayed time dependency. Cells lacking a clock gene also responded to the drugs, but the response was not in a time independent manner. We hereby unveiled the clock gene-mediated circadian rhythms in inflammatory response.

Free Research Field

生理学