The effect of hippocampal BMP4 signaling pathway on stress-induced anxiety disorders

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16657
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
• Research Institution: Fukuoka University
• Principal Investigator: Mori Masayoshi 福岡大学, 薬学部, 助教 (00759251)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: BMP4 / 海馬 / 神経新生 / 炎症 / 不安障害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we investigated that the effects of stress-induced activation of hippocampal BMP4 signaling pathway on anxiety disorders. As a result, in stress-induced anxiety model rats, increased BMP4 signaling pathway activity and decreased neurogenesis were observed in the hippocampus which is involved in emotional regulation. Next, the expression of phosphorylated p38-MAPKP3, an inflammatory marker, was increased in the hippocampus of the stress-induced anxiety model rats. Brain inflammation is a risk factor for psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders. Since BMP4 is also known to function as an inflammation-inducing factor, our results indicate that hippocampal BMP4 signaling activation may be involved in the development of anxiety disorders.

Free Research Field

精神疾患

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

不安障害は精神疾患の中でも罹患率が高く、その発症要因は人間関係間で生じる心理社会的ストレスである。しかし、不安障害の病態メカニズムについては未解明な部分が多いため、既存の不安治療薬の効果は不十分である。そのため、より有効性の高い不安治療薬が望まれている。本研究結果により、海馬BMP4シグナル活性化がストレス誘発性不安障害の発症にかかわっている可能性が示された。海馬BMP4は既存の治療薬とは全く異なるメカニズムであるため、BMP4シグナルが新規の抗不安薬の治療ターゲットになることが期待される。