The role of glial cells in neuropathic pain

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23229008
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (S)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Anesthesiology/Resuscitation studies
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Inoue Kazuhide 九州大学, 薬学研究科(研究院), 教授 (80124379)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): SAITOH Hidetoshi 九州大学, 大学院薬学研究院, 助教 (90444794)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 神経障害性疼痛 / アストロサイト / ミクログリア / グリア神経相互作用 / 転写制御因子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have examined the glial functions in spinal cord dorsal horn in neuropathic pain and obtained the following results. ① We identified activated molecules exclusively expressed in astrocytes using specific transcriptome analysis. ②We found that a transcription factor STAT3 from these molecules is deeply involved in neuropathic pain by behavioral pharmacology analysis. ③ Next, we found that the relationship between STAT3 and microglial activation in the time-course analysis in the neuropathic pain after the nerve injury. ④ In order to elucidate the role in pain transmission in the spinal cord, we established in vivo imaging technology in the spinal cord. ⑤ We examined the expression profile of vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT) which is important for ATP release and found that VNUT is tightly involved in neuropathic pain.

Free Research Field

神経薬理学