Elucidation of the three-dimensional fine structure of the vocal fold using FIB/SEM tomography and Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy

• Project/Area Number: 22K16907
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Kurume University
• Principal Investigator: Sato Kiminobu 久留米大学, 医学部, 助教 (30738852)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2023)
• Budget Amount: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000); Fiscal Year 2023: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000); Fiscal Year 2022: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000)
• Keywords: 喉頭 / 声帯 / CLEM法 / CLEM / 微細構造 / 声帯黄斑 / 喉頭科学

Outline of Research at the Start

本研究はFIB/SEMトモグラフィー法、CLEM法によりヒト声帯の細胞外マトリックスと間質細胞の細胞小器官、ミトコンドリアなどの三次元的微細構造を観察し、疾患や加齢により声帯黄斑や粘膜固有層内の細胞と細胞外マトリックスがどの様に変化するのかを検討する。本研究によりヒト声帯黄斑における幹細胞システムに関与する細胞と細胞外マトリックスの三次元的微細構造が解明されれば、ヒト声帯の組織工学と再生医療において、基礎的研究と臨床応用に貢献できると考えられる。

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Human vocal fold is composed of epithelium, lamina propria, vocal fold muscle and cartilage. The aim of this study is to clarify the three-dimensional fine structure of vocal fold using FIB/SEM tomography and Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (CLEM) technique. In this study, we clarified the fine structure of the transitional area between lamina propria and cartilage of the human vocal fold using CLEM technique. The additional study revealed the fine structure of the Reinke's edema and its pathogenesis. We applied the technique to observe fine structure of normal and disease vocal fold and the technique is expected to apply for animal experiment model and various disease of the vocal fold in further study.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

喉頭の機能は発声、嚥下、呼吸であり、喉頭は人間の生命維持に必要な臓器である。喉頭の中でも声帯はその中心的な部位であり、その正常な機能と関連した疾患（良性・悪性疾患）の病態の解明が求められる。喉頭は様々な硬組織・軟組織を含む複雑な臓器であるため、三次元的微細構造については不明な点も少なくなかった。本研究では、最新の顕微鏡技術を用いて喉頭の機能形態と関連した疾患の病態を明らかにした。本研究は喉頭の正常な機能形態と関連した疾患の病態の解明に今後も大きく寄与すると考えられる。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Pathogenesis of Reinke's Edema of the Vocal Fold (2024)
  • Author(s): Kiminobu Sato, et al.
  • Journal Title: Laryngoscope Volume: 134 Issue: 4 Pages: 1785-1791
  • DOI: 10.1002/lary.31084
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Three‐dimensional fine structures of the maculae flavae of the human vocal fold using correlative light and electron microscopy. (2022)
  • Author(s): Sato K, Kurita T, Sato F, Ohta K, Sato K, Chitose Si, Ono T and Umeno H
  • Journal Title: Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology Volume: 7 Issue: 6 Pages: 1943-1950
  • DOI: 10.1002/lio2.950
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Presentation] ラインケ浮腫の発症機序と病態における低酸素誘導因子（HIF）の関与 (2023)
  • Author(s): 佐藤 公宣ら
  • Organizer: 第35回日本喉頭科学会総会
• [Presentation] Pathogenesis of the Reinke’s edema. (2023)
  • Author(s): Kiminobu Sato, et al.
  • Organizer: The 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Bronch-Esophagological Association
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Three-dimensional fine structures of the maculae flavae of the human vocal fold using correlative light and electron microscopy (2022)
  • Author(s): Kiminobu Sato
  • Organizer: the 102nd ABEA annual meeting
  • Int'l Joint Research