Adult neurogenesis in hypothalamus: An approach using embryonic stem cell

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K14556
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: Fujita Health University
• Principal Investigator: Nagasaki Hiroshi 藤田医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (30420384)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 小谷 侑 藤田医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (60644622)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 視床下部 / 成人神経新生 / 幹細胞治療

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This project aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanisms for the maintenance and neurogenic function of adult hypothalamic neural stem cells (htNSCs) by using mouse ES cell-derived hypothalamic tissue culture. After differentiation of mouse ES cells into hypothalamic neurons and glial cells, we observed a small number of cells expressing Rax, a marker for embryonic and adult htNSCs. This Rax+ population was comparable to adult htNSCs in terms of gene expression, cell morphology, and proliferative capacity. By examining culture conditions to keep the Rax expression, we identified Hedgehog signaling as a candidate pathway that maintains adult htNSCs and prevents their differentiation.

Free Research Field

再生医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

神経細胞は出生後は再生しないという通説の例外として海馬領域の成人神経再生が知られているが、近年視床下部でも脳室周囲細胞のタニサイトから神経新生が起こることが注目を浴びている。本研究はマウスES細胞からタニサイト様細胞の誘導に成功した。この成果は自律神経中枢である視床下部機能が老化を含む疾病により機能低下した場合、再生医療により改善しアンチエイジング効果をもたらす可能性を示すものである。