Pathophysiological function of spinal dorsal horn HCN4-expressing neurons in neuropathic pain

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K16543
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55050:Anesthesiology-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University (2021, 2023); Our Lady of the Snow Social Medical Corporation (St. Mary (2022)
• Principal Investigator: Nakagawa Taku 九州大学, 医学研究院, 助教 (00869050)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 神経障害性疼痛 / ニューロン / HCN4

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Regarding the creation of HCN4 function suppression + neuropathy models and the creation of HCN4 function promotion + neuropathy models, it is stable and possible to create models, but experiments have been discontinued due to difficulties in establishing an experimental method to evaluate whether neuropathic pain is occurring. Instead, We created a mouse model of CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) by immobilizing the mouse's foot in a cast for two weeks, and have begun research to elucidate the role of HCN4 in CRPS.

Free Research Field

神経障害性疼痛

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

神経障害性疼痛は有病率が一定数いるものの疼痛コントロールに難渋することが多く、その治療は今後期待されている。今回の研究により、安定的にHCN4機能抑制+神経障害モデルの作成、およびHCN機能促進+神経障害モデルの作成を行えるようになったため、実験手法が確立した際には脊髄Ⅲ層で神経障害性疼痛に関わっている可能性が高いと思われるHCN4チャネル発現神経細胞の生理学的機能の解明に寄与できると考えている。