Synaptic regulation by intracerebral microglia and chronic pain

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Glial assembly: a new regulatory machinery of brain function and disorders
• Project/Area Number: 25117013
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Inoue Kazuhide 九州大学, 薬学研究院, 特命教授 (80124379)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 齊藤 秀俊 九州大学, 薬学研究院, 准教授 (90444794) ; 津田 誠 九州大学, 薬学研究科(研究院), 教授 (40373394) ; 増田 隆博 九州大学, 薬学研究科(研究院), 助教 (80615287)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-06-28 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ミクログリア / 神経障害性疼痛 / 発達障害 / シナプスリモデリング / in vivoイメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In microglial specific IRF8-deficient mice, it was recognized that the social recognition ability was selectively decreased. We also found that in IRF8 deficient mice microglial cell bodies moves within the brain although microglia in normal mice moves only processes. In addition, it was found that similar protrusion dysplasia and morphological change were reproduced in timing specific and microglia specific IRF8-deficient mice, and it was revealed that IRF8 is a transcription factor involved in maintaining microglial morphology. The microglia morphology and function abnormality affects the brain circuit formation and confuses the expression of higher-order functions, and it is considered that the normal activity of microglia also contributes to the maintenance of brain circuit formation and higher-order functions.

Free Research Field

神経化学・神経薬理学