阿尔兹海默病,星型胶质细胞 z-bo 2020-09-24 387

　　In a research report published in the international journal Neuron a few days ago, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles gained a deeper understanding of stellate cells through research. Stellate cells (astroglia) are a type of brain, important cells in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lugerig's disease, ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and other neuropathies makes an important impact. believed to be.

　　In this article, we propose the first mouse carrying the Cre/ERT2 artificial gene. Cre/ERT2 can be used as a basic tool for studying cell function and is only expressed in stellate cells. After years of research, scientists finally developed mice carrying Cre/ERT2 and other artificial genes. These genes are only expressed in stellate cells and will not penetrate other types of cells. Researcher professor

　　Baljit Khakh said that he can eliminate these suspicious stellate genes that cause diseases such as ALS and see if these genes are really "criminals." This neurological disease provides the basis and clues for specific research. In order to allow mice to carry the Cre/ERT2 gene, the researcher Khakh and his colleagues inserted the Cre/ERT2 gene into another gene called Aldh1-11. Previous studies have shown that the Aldh1-1l gene can only be carried in adult stellate cells. formula. Under normal circumstances, the Cre/ERT2 gene can be activated by administering the breast cancer drug tamoxifen to mice. However, in this study, the researchers found that the tamoxifen drug turned on the Cre/ERT2 gene in stellate cells, and the researchers also found that the gene was only present in all stellate cells in the adult mouse brain. Activated. confirm. Scientists know that stellate cells perform multiple functions in the brain, which are of great significance to the mechanism of brain function and the behavior of humans and other animals. However, scientists did not explain why stars are at the molecular level. Cells can perform many important brain functions.

　　In this article, the researchers provide powerful tools to help scientists solve this mystery. Khakh was able to perform corresponding experiments on these modified mice, which is the result of years of research. In the first study, we studied mice to understand the mechanism of calcium signaling. We confirmed for the first time that stellate cells are stellate cells of adult mice, and at the same time affect neuronal function through calcium signals. Active genes. Stellate cells are directly related to the occurrence of various neurological diseases including ALS. ALS is a fatal disease. In ALS patients, the neurons that control muscle function are gradually destroyed. Recently, the results of a number of studies have shown that stellate cells may be the main reason for the death of these neurons. How stellate cells cause neuron death in ALS patients is still a mystery, but the researchers in this article have developed the Cre/ERT2 gene, and mice are a powerful tool to help scientists explain.