Role of the cell competition in the intestinal epithelial tissue

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Cell competition: a mechanism for survival of the fittest in the multi-cellular community
• Project/Area Number: 26114004
• 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: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (2018); Kyoto University (2014-2017)
• Principal Investigator: Eisuke Nishida 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 生命機能科学研究センター, センター長 (60143369)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-07-10 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 上皮組織 / オルガノイド培養法 / 遺伝子導入法 / シグナル伝達 / 遺伝子ノックダウン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To analyze the role of cell competition in the intestine epithelial tissue in mouse, we developed a method for gene transfer into the intestinal epithelial tissue in vivo. Through genetic manipulation in the intestine organoid, we identified candidate genes, which were involved in cell shedding from intestinal epithelia, and we analyzed the roles of these genes in the homeostasis of the intestinal epithelial tissue. Additionally, we performed transcriptome analysis of intestinal stem cells during aging and found that the expression of genes related to cell competition was changed as animals aged

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

腸上皮組織における細胞競合にかかわる因子のin vivoにおける機能解析、並びに、その老化に伴う機能変化について解析した。ヒトにおいて小腸上皮は細胞増殖の最も活発な組織の一つであるにもかかわらず、がんの発症の非常にまれな臓器であり、その恒常性維持機構の全貌解明はがん研究においても非常に重要な一歩となる。さらに、我々が開発した腸上皮組織への遺伝子導入技術は、スイス連邦工科大学ローザンヌ校や北海道大学との共同研究につながるなど国際的に注目を集めた。