Research of microglial epigenetics as a mechanism of constructing stress vulnerability

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25861036
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University (2014); Hiroshima International University (2013)
• Principal Investigator: YAMAWAKI YOSUKE 広島大学, 医歯薬保健学研究院(歯), 助教 (90584061)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: うつ病 / ストレス脆弱性 / ミクログリア / エピジェネティクス / HDAC阻害薬 / 精神疾患 / 炎症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The object of this study is to elucidate a mechanism of stress vulnerability from a view of neuro-immune system. Treatment of lipopolysaccharide (5 mg/kg, i.p.) induced persisting microglial activation in hippocampus and elongated immobility time in forced swim test (FST). Repeated treatment with sodium butyrate (SB), HDAC inhibitor, inhibited the LPS-induced microglial activation and decreased the immobility time in FST. cDNA Microarray using isolated hippocampal microglia treated with LPS and/or SB revealed the several candidate genes, relating to regulating macrophage function, immune system and mechanism of antidepressant.

Free Research Field

精神薬理学