Leukemia-neuro-circulatory coupling by neural manipulation and in vivo imaging

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H03810
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 90110:Biomedical engineering-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Asada Noboru 岡山大学, 大学病院, 研究准教授 (70803055)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 檜山 武史 鳥取大学, 医学部, 教授 (90360338)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 急性白血病 / 末梢神経シグナル / 骨髄微小環境

Outline of Final Research Achievements

By injecting leukemia cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) into genetically modified mice capable of visualizing blood vessels and perivascular stromal cells, a murine leukemia model was created that allows for the visualization of leukemia and the bone marrow microenvironment. We have analyzed the bone marrow microenvironment, including peripheral nerve fibers, blood vessels and stromal cells, in the bone marrow of these mice by imaging analysis using confocal microscopy and have revealed changes in peripheral nerve activity and microenvironment in the bone marrow due to leukemia. We have also identified the presence of highly expressed neurotransmitter receptors in bone marrow stromal cells and analyzed their role in leukemia.

Free Research Field

骨髄微小環境

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で、急性白血病による骨髄内の末梢神経シグナル、ならびに、血管の周囲に存在しすべての造血細胞の元となる造血幹細胞を支持する骨髄ニッチ細胞の変容が明らかとなり、白血病がこれらの細胞群に与える影響の理解が進んだ。また、本研究結果は、難治性血液腫瘍である急性白血病の新たな治療法開発のための糸口となる可能性がある。