Research Interest

In the central nervous system, there are three kinds of glial cell other than neurons: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. They play important roles in both pathological and physiological conditions. Goal of our research is to elucidate the glial regulation mechanism of inter- and intra-cellular signaling using glial cell cultures as basic experimental systems, with biochemical, immunological, morphological techniques, and so on. Current interest is focused on glial functions, such as NO, cytokines and neurotrophic factors production, transglutaminase, superoxide dismutase, sugar and amino acid metabolism, and phagocytosis: in order to elucidate the mechanisms of prion diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, sleep, traumatic brain injury, and brain ischemia.

Key words: Astrocytes, Microglia, Neurodegenerative diseases, Prion diseases, Sleep, Traumatic brain injury, Transglutaminase, Extracellular superoxide dismutase, Phagocytosis