mTOR inhibitor rapamycin reduces inflammation and secondary neural tissue damage after spinal cord injury

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25870045
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Orthopaedic surgery; Neurochemistry/Neuropharmacology
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Kanno Haruo 東北大学, 大学病院, 助教 (40646808)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 脊髄損傷 / ラパマイシン / mTOR

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, the rapamycin treatment significantly improved not only locomotor function, but also mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in the hindpaws after SCI. In an immunohistochemical analysis, activation of microglia in the injured spinal cord was significantly decreased in the rapamycin-treated mice. In addition, the expressions of inflammatory cytokines in the injured site was significantly attenuated by rapamycin treatment. These results indicated rapamycin administration in acute phase reduced inflammation and secondary neural tissue damage in the injured site and attenuated the locomotor impairment and the development of neuropathic pain after SCI. The present study demonstrated that rapamycin has significant therapeutic potential for SCI. We have presented these data in several academic meetings in Japan and other countries. We also submitted the results of this study to an international scientific journal.

Free Research Field

脊髄損傷