New neurons interact with activated astrocytes during migration toward the injured area in the post-stroke brain.

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23680041
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Neurochemistry/Neuropharmacology
• Research Institution: Nagoya City University
• Principal Investigator: KANEKO Naoko 名古屋市立大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 講師 (20464571)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 脳室下帯 / 新生ニューロン / 脳梗塞 / 再生 / Slit / Robo

Outline of Final Research Achievements

After brain injury, immature new neurons generated in the adult ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) migrate toward injured areas through the dense meshwork of activated astrocytes to regenerate neurons. However, their number and migration efficiency are insufficient to induce functional recovery. Using a mouse model of ischemic stroke, we found that V-SVZ-derived new neurons secrete the Slit1 protein, a ligand for Robo2 expressed in activated astrocytes. The Slit-Robo signaling causes cytoskeletal modification in the astrocytes in contact with new neurons, which increases the efficiency of neuronal migration. Moreover, overexpression of Slit1 in the new neurons promotes their migration toward the injured area. These findings may contribute to the development of new strategies for the treatment of neurological diseases using the endogenous neuro-regeneration system.

Free Research Field

神経科学・神経化学・再生医学