• Search Research Projects
  • Search Researchers
  • How to Use
  1. Back to project page

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Pathobiological analysis of ASD by using the co-culture system of immune cells and human iPSC-derived neurons

Research Project

  • PDF
Project/Area Number 22K07586
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Section一般
Review Section Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
Research InstitutionFujita Health University (2024)
Nara Medical University (2022-2023)

Principal Investigator

Toritsuka Michihiro  藤田医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (20588529)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) 山室 和彦  奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (60526721)
Project Period (FY) 2022-04-01 – 2025-03-31
Keywords自閉スペクトラム症 / マクロファージ / iPS細胞 / シナプス / 貪食能 / 炎症性サイトカイン
Outline of Final Research Achievements

A growing body of evidence suggests that immune dysfunction and inflammation in the peripheral tissues as well as the central nervous system are associated with the neurodevelopmental deficits observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To elucidate the effect of immune cells on human neurons, we used two methods; a co-culture system of human iPSC-derived neurons and differentiated macrophages instead of microglia, and synaptosome phagocytosis measurement system. Co-culture experiments showed that GM-CSF macrophages affect the dendritic outgrowth of neurons through the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1α and TNF-α. Macrophages derived from individuals with ASD exerted more severe effects than those derived from TD individuals. Synaptosome phagocytosis measurement revealed impaired synapse phagocytosis of M-CSF macrophages derived from ASD individuals compared to those from TD individuals. These findings may help in the future elucidation of ASD pathobiology.

Free Research Field

精神疾患

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

今回の研究成果からは、自閉スペクトラム症で想定されている炎症仮説やシナプス仮説を支持する結果が得られた。精神疾患研究において、ヒト脳内のミクログリアを直接採取して観察することは倫理的に不可能であることがネックであった。ミクログリアとマクロファージの表現型の異同については今後の研究により慎重な判断を要するが、末梢血から得られる機能的に類似なマクロファージを用いてこれらの成果が得られたことは、今後のヒト細胞を用いた病態解明や、その先にある新規検査法の開発、新規薬剤の検索において、大変有用で意義深いと考えている。

URL: 

Published: 2026-01-16  

Information User Guide FAQ News Terms of Use Attribution of KAKENHI

Powered by NII kakenhi