Roles of calcineurin and cell-cell interactions in glial and stellate cells in the digestive system

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07485
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49030:Experimental pathology-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya City University
• Principal Investigator: Tanaka Masahiko 名古屋市立大学, 医薬学総合研究院(薬学), 准教授 (60267953)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: グリア細胞 / 星細胞 / 小腸 / 肝臓 / 膵臓 / カルシニューリン / 炎症 / 疾患モデル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We analyzed small-intestinal glial cells and hepatic and pancreatic stellate cells in glial calcineurin B1-conditional knockout mice. In the small intestine, calcineurin B1 deficiency in enteric glial cells induced reduced proliferation and survival, abnormal activation and altered levels of secreted substances, leading to abnormalities in glia-neuron and glia-epithelial cell interactions. In the liver and pancreas, calcineurin B1 deficiency in stellate cells reduced the number of stellate cells, leading to histological abnormalities. These abnormalities may cause maldigestion, malabsorption and barrier dysfunction. These findings suggest the important roles of calcineurin and cell-cell interactions in glial and stellate cells in the digestive system.

Free Research Field

分子神経生物学、実験病理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、小腸の腸管グリア細胞及び肝臓・膵臓の星細胞におけるカルシニューリンと細胞間相互作用の新しい役割を明らかにした。本研究をさらに進展させることで、腸管グリア細胞の異常によって引き起こされる腸疾患（炎症性腸疾患等が想定される）や星細胞の異常によって引き起こされる肝臓・膵臓疾患の原因究明が可能となり、そうした疾患の新しい治療法・治療薬の開発につながることが期待される。