Cortical regeneration and nestin-expressing reactive astrocyte in a novel closed-head injury model "photo-injury mouse"

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23300133
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurochemistry/Neuropharmacology
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: MORITA Mitsuhiro 神戸大学, 理学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (50297602)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): OKANO Hideyuki 慶應義塾大学, 医学部, 教授 (60160694) ; MAEKAWA Shohei 神戸大学, 大学院理学研究科, 教授 (40173695)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 脳傷害 / 組織再生 / 活性化アストロサイト

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have developed a novel brain injury model designated "photo-injury", which shows substantial cortical tissue regeneration. Further histological analysis showed a robust accumulation of nestin-expressing reactive astrocyte in the regenerating region. Since the genetic modification of the accumulation of the reactive astrocyte caused significant alteration of cortical regeneration, these cells were indicated to play a pivotal role in regeneration. Meanwhile, the majority of the reactive astrocyte was ablated during wound healing in our fate mapping study. These results suggest the nestin-expressing reactive astrocyte is one of the determinant of the process brain lesion and a potent diagnostic as well as therapeutic target of brain injury.

Free Research Field

神経科学