Positioning and differentiation of new neurons in the post-stroke brain

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H03565
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 51030:Pathophysiologic neuroscience-related
• Research Institution: Doshisha University (2022-2023); Nagoya City University (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Kaneko Naoko 同志社大学, 脳科学研究科, 教授 (20464571)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 脳室下帯 / 細胞移動 / アストロサイト / 神経再生 / 脳梗塞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the adult brain, new neurons produced in the ventricular-subventricular zone migrate toward the infarcted area after ischemic stroke. Some of these newborn neurons survive and differentiate into multiple subtypes of neurons. We have found that in a mouse model of cerebral infarction, the migration of newborn neurons can be promoted by molecular biological techniques or by transplantation of biomaterials, leading to an increase in the number of mature newborn neurons located in the vicinity of the lesion and neurological improvement. They also found that cells at different different differentiation stages are differentially affected by their microenvironment in determining their final cell fate. The molecular mechanisms will be investigated in detail in future studies.

Free Research Field

神経化学・神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果から、新生ニューロンが環境適応的に分化するという新たな可能性が示唆された。脳梗塞後の組織で分化する数少ない新生ニューロンの分布・分化方向を制御して、効率よく神経機能を再生することが可能であることが示唆される。今後の分子メカニズム解明により、再生能力が低い霊長類脳において、内在する再生能力を生かした新たな治療的アプローチ開発や、移植細胞を用いた再生医学的アプローチの開発においても有用な基盤的知見となる。