Development of a new therapy to stimulate optic nerve regeneration and reconstruction of the visual function

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25462764
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Ophthalmology
• Research Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science
• Principal Investigator: KURIMOTO Takuji 公益財団法人東京都医学総合研究所, 運動・感覚システム研究分野, 研究員 (50388815)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 視神経再生 / 好中球 / Oncomodulin

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Although neurons are normally unable to regenerate their axons after injury to the central nervous system, proinflammatory agents, such as zymosan, have been shown to cause retinal ganglion cells to regenerate axons through the injured optic nerve. However, the role of molecules and cell populations in mediating this phenomenon remains unclear. We showed that neutrophils, the first responders of the innate immune system, release oncomodulin, which plays a central role in zymosan-induced optic nerve regeneration.

Free Research Field

眼科学