2018 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
New Roles of Histamine in Astrocyte Function
| Project/Area Number |
18J11446
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| Research Institution | Tohoku University |
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Principal Investigator |
Karpati Aniko 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 特別研究員(DC2)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2018-04-25 – 2020-03-31
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| Keywords | histamine / histamine H1 receptor / astrocyte / neuron / behaviour / aggression / anxiety / cognition |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Histamine H1 receptors (H1Rs) were shown to contribute to various physiological processes, however the role of astrocytic H1Rs in brain function remained unknown.
In order to investigate the role of astrocytic H1Rs, I successfully established and validated novel conditional knock out (cKO) mouse models that lack H1Rs selectively on astrocytes or neurons. There were no obvious differences of cKO mice (e.g. body weight, size). Genetic analysis confirmed H1R gene deficiency in targeted cells.
I carried out behavioural assessment and found significant changes in cKO mice: cKO mice showed significant changes in memory, aggressive behavior, quality of wakefulness, and anxiety. For the first time, physiological processes could be attributed to either neuronal or astrocytic H1R signalling.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
The project is slightly delayed as establishing molecular imaging techniques that show both, high sensitivity and specificity did not work as expected. A positive outcome of these experiments, that included immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization, was desirable because it increases the significance of the study.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The goal of the coming year is to further advance with my research on the H1R cKO mice. I am planning to investigate the distribution of neuronal and astrocytic H1R as well as to determine potential changes of astrocytes on a molecular level. For this purpose I will make use of small animal PET imaging and radioactive tracers.
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