Budget Amount *help |
¥4,810,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,110,000)
Fiscal Year 2016: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000)
Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000)
Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000)
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Outline of Final Research Achievements |
Previously, unique somatic stem cells named very small embryonic-like (VSEL) stem cells were reported. However, it is controversial whether pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) exist in adult mammals. In this study, we evaluated stem cell characteristics of VSEL-resembling small cells (SCs) isolated by highly efficient method that we developed. The present data demonstrated that the SCs isolated from bone- and dental pulp-derived nucleated cells were small and possessed a relatively large nucleus surrounded by a narrow rim of cytoplasm. However, the SCs did not show stem cell characteristics like VSELs, while SCs resemble VSELs. Cell transplantation analysis suggested that the injected SCs may proliferate, fuse and/or trans-differentiate into hepatocytes in damaged liver tissue. However, it is still uncertain to refer plasticity of SCs and it also remains unknown the existence of PSCs in postnatal adult life at the present time.
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