Elucidation of the molecular basis and physiological significance of arachnoid barrier protecting the brain environment

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K21509
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 48:Biomedical structure and function and related fields
• Research Institution: National Institute for Physiological Sciences
• Principal Investigator: Furuse Mikio 生理学研究所, 生体機能調節研究領域, 教授 (90281089)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-07-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: クモ膜 / タイトジャンクション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The arachnoid membrane has been believed as a barrier to contribute to the homeostasis of the liquid environment in the brain. However, the whole picture of the structure and molecular organization of the arachnoid barrier is poorly understood. The physiological role of the arachnoid barrier has not been experimentally demonstrated. In this study, we have identified tight junction-associated proteins that are expressed in arachnoid barrier cells and generated mice lacking part of these proteins. Further detailed analysis of these mice is expected to clarify the molecular basis and physiological significance of the arachnoid barrier.

Free Research Field

細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

クモ膜は脳内の液性環境の維持に重要なバリア構造であると古くから認識されながら、その生理的意義や病態との関わりについての研究は大きく遅れている。本研究で作成した遺伝子改変マウスは、クモ膜バリアの生理的意義を解明するための今後の研究に役立つとともに、未だ知見や治療法が定まっていない脳脊髄液減少症のようなクモ膜の機能低下に関連すると思われる疾患の理解にもつながることが期待できる。