1: Elucidating the Mechanism by Which Microglia Envelop and Protect Damaged Neurons / 2: The "Weight" of Complications in Coronary Catheterization Procedures: Verification from a Joint Registry Project of University Hospitals and Related Facilities
Science of the Month - June 2026
1: Elucidating the Mechanism by Which Microglia Envelop and Protect Damaged Neurons
Journal of Neuroinflammation.
Koji Sekiguchi, Hirotaka Shoji, Tomoko Shindo, Jumpei Sasabe, Daiki Tokuyasu, Jin Nakahara, Tsuyoshi Miyakawa, Daisuke Ito
Using an axonal injury model via facial nerve axotomy, we have clarified that Iba1, a protein widely expressed in microglia, plays a crucial role in synaptic remodeling and motor neuron survival after injury.
While it was known that microglia gather around and cover motor neurons following nerve injury, the molecular mechanism and biological significance remained unclear. In this study, we performed facial nerve axotomy on Iba1-deficient mice and wild-type mice and examined them using a combination of multiple analytical methods. As a result, Iba1-deficient mice showed decreased motor neuron coverage by microglia and insufficient synaptic remodeling, and in the later stages, a decrease in motor neuron survival rate and an increase in DNA damage response were observed. These results indicate that Iba1 is involved in neuronal protection. In the future, by adjusting microglial function through the control of Iba1 function, we expect to establish new therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.
(Daisuke Ito, Department of Internal Medicine (Neurology))
2: The "Weight" of Complications in Coronary Catheterization Procedures: Verification from a Joint Registry Project of University Hospitals and Related Facilities
JACC Cardiovascular Interventions.
Takahiro Suzuki, Yasuyuki Shiraishi, Shun Kohsaka, Daisuke Yoneoka, Ikuko Ueda, Takanori Ohata, Yohei Numasawa, Keisuke Matsumura, Kenichiro Shimoji, Mitsuaki Sawano, Masaki Ieda
When people think of cardiology, many likely imagine "cath" procedures. However, because "cath" is an invasive procedure, complications such as bleeding, occlusion due to internal arterial damage, and acute heart failure occur at a certain rate (around a few percent per year). Until now, it has not been sufficiently clarified to what extent these complications influence subsequent life prognosis (registering events that occur at a rate of a few percent per year and tracking their prognosis is quite difficult). Our department has been conducting a multicenter joint registry for "cath" since 2009, and this report represents the culmination of that work. As shown in the figure, tracking 10,482 cases over two years revealed that the onset of acute heart failure increased the risk of death by approximately six times, making it the strongest factor associated with mortality. Furthermore, from the perspective of Population Attributable Fraction (PAF), acute heart failure was associated with 20% of deaths. It is often said in this field that all cardiovascular diseases lead to heart failure, and it was considered important to maintain a bird's-eye view that ensures every precaution is taken to prevent heart failure when performing "cath." For more details, please also check the podcast of the publishing journal.
(Shun Kohsaka, Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology))
Other Published Papers
1) Immunotherapy Response in Microsatellite Instability–High Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma
JAMA Surgery.
Jun Okui, Laura R. Prakash, Heather G. Lyu, Ryan B. Morgan, Jenny J. Li, Mariela A. Blum-Murphy, Jaffer A. Ajani, Wayne L. Hofstetter, David C. Rice, Paul F. Mansfield, Stephen G. Swisher, Brian D. Badgwell, Naruhiko Ikoma