Elucidation of inner ear pressure sensing mechanism involved in the mechanism of weather-related pain

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07852
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 51030:Pathophysiologic neuroscience-related
• Research Institution: Chubu University
• Principal Investigator: Sato Jun 中部大学, 生命健康科学部, 教授 (00235350)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 気象病 / 気圧変化 / 内耳 / 自律神経

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we revealed that the superior vestibular nucleus cells in the medulla oblongata were excited by artificial pressure exposure, suggesting the existence of a pressure-sensing mechanism in the inner ear. We also clarified the possibility that TRPV4 and TRPV1 channels are involved in low-pressure exposure experiments using the channel-deficient mice. Then, in order to observe the excitability of vestibular ganglion cells, which are the primary vestibular neurons, we exposed normal mice to a reduced pressure of 40 hPa from an environment of 1013 hPa using a pressure chamber. After exposure, vestibular ganglion cells were identified from cryosections of perfusion-fixed brains and immunostained with anti-ARK antibody. So far, the dyeing work for the exposed group (16 cases) and the control group (16 cases) has been completed. We are currently counting excitable cells.

Free Research Field

疼痛医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

「天気の崩れと病気の関係」は古くから知られていたので，発想はあったかもしれないが証明しようとはされていなかった．そればかりか両者の関係を疑問視する（思い込み，虚言だとする）考えも生まれてきたのである．申請者は慢性痛患者を診てきたなかで，人間にも鳥類のように必ず気圧センサーがあると信じ、その本体を明らかにしようと先進的な学術的独自性をもって何人も発想しない方法論で研究を進めてきた．そして本研究で，内耳に気圧センサーがあり，TRPVチャネルが関与する可能性をつかんだ．本研究で新たな知見を蓄積したことで，内耳気圧センサーの機能がさらに明らかとなり，気象病の克服に向けて大きく前進したと確信している