Investigation of an in vivo cell fusion method using mice to restore immediate neuroaxonal function.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10027
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56070:Plastic and reconstructive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Mie University
• Principal Investigator: Narushima Mitsunaga 三重大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (80431873)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 神経 / 融合 / 再生 / 再建

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The process of axonal function recovery was evaluated using the sciatic nerve of the mouse lower limb in three ways: 1) gait function evaluation using catwalks, 2) functional evaluation of electromyography and conduction velocity using a nerve stimulator, and 3) morphological evaluation using nerve specimens. Nerve changes after amputation were evaluated at 2 and 4 weeks. The nerve fusion method was performed using three groups: 1) fusion by suture, PEG, Sendai virus, lipofectamine, and electrical stimulation all 2) suture only (control) 3) suture + PEG + electrical stimulation. Theoretically, recovery was expected to be achieved in the second week, but there was no clear significant difference between the control and experimental fusion groups, and histological examination showed that the number of recovered axons was lower and nerve damage tended to be more severe in the group using the fusion method.

Free Research Field

形成外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

今回我々は、軸索融合の可能性について検討した。残念ながら我々の方法では、現時点では軸索融合は、コントロール群（縫合のみ）と比較して優位性を認めなかった。しかしmtGFPマウスを用いた軸索内輸送のモデルや、PEG、センダイウイルス、リポフェクタミン、電気融合等のさまざまな細胞融合法を用いる実験手法を確立できたことで、今後さらに微細技術や知見が進み、神経再生における軸索融合法がより繊細に行える環境になった場合に再チャレンジできる環境を整えることができたと考える。