Diversity of thalamic relay neurons projecting to mouse primary visual cortex

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25871060
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Nerve anatomy/Neuropathology; Basic / Social brain science
• Research Institution: Shinshu University (2015); National Institute for Physiological Sciences (2013-2014)
• Principal Investigator: MORI Takuma 信州大学, 学術研究院医学系, 助教 (70545798)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 狂犬病ウイルス / 神経回路トレース

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I analyzed the distribution of presynaptic cells to layer 2/3 pyramidal cells of mouse neocortex using rabies monosynaptic tracing. Rabies virus is various among a group of various experimental strains. I used rabies glycoproteins originated from two different strains of rabies virus for the monosynaptic tracing. I found that monosynaptic tracing using different strains of rabies glycoprotein visualized distinct types of cells in mouse brain. An avirulent rabies glycoprotein helped rabies virus to infect not only neurons but also glial cells around the injection site. Considering that some glial cells, such as astrocytes and microglia, contribute to the immune system, these results suggest that infection of rabies virus to glial cells may decrease the virulency of rabies virus.

Free Research Field

神経科学