Preface

This Annual Report covers from 1 January to 31 December 202

Preface

This Annual Report covers from 1 January to 31 December 202

In Honor of Professor Arihisa Hasegawa

上村哲彦教授 長谷川存古教授退職記念

Fibroblast Growth Factors and Cellular Communication Network Factors: Intimate Interplay by the Founding Members in Cartilage

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) constitute a large family of signaling molecules that act in an autocrine/paracrine, endocrine, or intracrine manner, whereas the cellular communication network factors (CCN) family is composed of six members that manipulate extracellular signaling networks. FGFs and CCNs are structurally and functionally distinct, except for the common characteristics as matricellular proteins. Both play significant roles in the development of a variety of tissues and organs, including the skeletal system. In vertebrates, most of the skeletal parts are formed and grow through a process designated endochondral ossification, in which chondrocytes play the central role. The growth plate cartilage is the place where endochondral ossification occurs, and articular cartilage is left to support the locomotive function of joints. Several FGFs, including FGF-2, one of the founding members of this family, and all of the CCNs represented by CCN2, which is required for proper skeletal development, can be found therein. Research over a decade has revealed direct binding of CCN2 to FGFs and FGF receptors (FGFRs), which occasionally affect the biological outcome via FGF signaling. Moreover, a recent study uncovered an integrated regulation of FGF and CCN genes by FGF signaling. In this review, after a brief introduction of these two families, molecular and genetic interactions between CCN and FGF family members in cartilage, and their biological effects, are summarized. The molecular interplay represents the mutual involvement of the other in their molecular functions, leading to collaboration between CCN2 and FGFs during skeletal development

Maze-learning Ability of Young and Mature ddY Mice and Mus musclus molossinus-M Mice

Maze-learning ability of young and mature ddY mice and Mus musclus molossinus-M mice (Mol-M) which was originally wild, now in the process of establishment as a strain in Nagoya University were examined using 16- unit T-maze for the 5 or 6 daily test trials. Six different scores; total score, total error, retrace error, blind path, total time and time for running between two check points for young and mature ddY decreased with every trial. Those scores for the young mice tended to be lower than those for the mature. The young and mature Mol-M mice exhibited the higher scores than those for the ddY mice. The performances of the young Mol-M mice in the maze became dull and slow with every test trial and that of the mature one was quick but ineffective to reach the goal through the trials