A genetic approach for the understanding of the integrity of Blood-Brain Barrier in Drosophila.

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26670095
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General anatomy (including histology/embryology)
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: KANDA Hiroshi 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 講師 (60508597)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 血液脳関門 / 遺伝学 / ショウジョウバエ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have elucidated the molecular mechanisms of genes whose function is required for the establishment and/or the maintenance of the integrity of Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) was used as the model organism. We have mainly focused on three different types of genes. Firstly, we analyzed a gene whose function is required for the establishment of the barrier. The knockdown of this gene did not affect the viability of the cells, however, it resulted in the hypoplasia of the BBB. Secondly, we analyzed a gene whose loss-of-function mutant animal emerged from a pupa with an almost intact BBB, however, its integrity decreased age-dependent manner. Finally, the knockdown of a gene resulted in not only the attenuation of the barrier integrity, but it also induced an increase in the proliferation of neural stem cells. This result strongly suggested a novel physiological significance of the BBB.

Free Research Field

神経科学、神経発生学、遺伝学