Molecular mechanisms of astrocyte heterogeneity

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26290021
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurochemistry/Neuropharmacology
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Tanaka Kohichi 東京医科歯科大学, 難治疾患研究所, 教授 (80171750)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: アストロサイト / ゲノム編集 / 脳神経疾患 / 神経科学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Astrocytes were thought to be a homogenous population of cells. However, several studies have demonstrated that astrocytes from different regions show heterogeneity in their expression of ion channels and coupling molecules. To dissect astrocyte heterogeneity, we decode the origin of astrocytes in different brain regions. To elucidate the embryonic origins of astrocyte in a specific brain region, we applied a recombinase-based intersectional genetic strategy in mice. Astrocytes in dorsal forebrain, thalamus, hypothalamus, cerebellum/midbrain, and spinal cord are derived from Emx1-, Olig3-, Nkx2.1-, En1, Hoxb8-positive domain of the ventricular zone, respectively. In addition, intersectional approach can control the activity of astrocytes in a region-specific manner. We can demonstrate that astrocytes in different brain regions contribute to different brain functions.

Free Research Field

分子神経科学