Development of the technology for the synthesis of functional human lymphoid tissues

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Analysis and synthesis of multi-dimensional immune organ network
• Project/Area Number: 24111009
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: The Tazuke Kofukai (2014-2016); Kyoto University (2012-2013)
• Principal Investigator: WATANABE Takeshi 公益財団法人田附興風会, 医学研究所, 特任研究指導者 (40028684)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 石川 文彦 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 統合生命医科学研究センター, グループディレクター (30403918)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-06-28 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: ヒト型人工リンパ節 / ストローマ細胞 / スフェロイド形成 / 抗原特異的免疫反応 / がん免疫療法 / 免疫組織再生 / 徐放性ゲル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have succeeded to establish the technology to construct human type artificial lymphoid tissues. We first established human lymphoid tissue stromal cells from human mesenchymal stem cells. The stromal cells were then cultured with recombinant human collagen peptides, which formed spheroids of the stromal cells. The spheroids and human peripheral blood lymphocytes were mixed and transplanted into renal subcapsular space of immunodeficient NSG mice. After 2-3 weeks, human lymph node-like tissues were formed at high efficiency. The tissues are composed of B cell follicles with FDC network, T cell areas containing FRC networks and dendritic cells. They contain fine networks of blood vessels with HEV, and lymph vessels. Antigen-specific antibody production and T cell responses were efficiently induced upon antigen stimulation.The structure of the tissues is stably maintained in NSG mice and easy to remove and transplant.

Free Research Field

免疫学