Analysis of histamine system through genetically modified mice

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26253016
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General pharmacology
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Yanai Kazuhiko 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (50192787)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 吉川 雄朗 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 准教授 (70506633) ; 中村 正帆 東北大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (80734318) ; 渋谷 勝彦 東北大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 産学官連携研究員 (30596268)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-06-27 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ヒスタミン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the role of brain histamine. We examined the importance of histamine N-methyltransfease (HNMT) for brain functions. Our results showed the essential role of HNMT in the regulation of brain histamine concentration. The aggression and sleep-wake cycles are also controlled by HNMT. We also investigated the involvement of histamine in glial cell functions. Histamine activated astrocytes through histamine H1 receptors. Histamine H3 receptor antagonists improved depression-like behaviors by the modulation of microglial activity. These results demonstrated the importance of histamine clearance for brain functions and the contribution of histamine to glial activity.

Free Research Field

薬理学