Cell therapy using human pluripotent stem cell-derived erythropoietin-producing cells improves renal anemia

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K09266
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Kidney internal medicine
• Research Institution: Kagawa University
• Principal Investigator: Hitomi Hirofumi 香川大学, 医学部, 准教授 (70346641)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 再生医学 / 移植・再生医療 / iPS細胞 / エリスロポエチン / 腎性貧血

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We established a method to generate erythropoietin (EPO)-producing cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) by modifying previously reported hepatic differentiation protocols. These cells showed increased EPO expression and secretion in response to low oxygen conditions, prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing enzymes inhibitors or insulin-like growth factor-1. The EPO protein secreted from hiPSC-derived EPO-producing cells (hiPSC-EPO cells) induced the erythropoietic differentiation of umbilical cord blood progenitors in vitro. Furthermore, transplantation of hiPSC-EPO cells improved renal anemia in adenine-induced CKD mice. In conclusion, hiPSC-EPO cells may be a useful tool for clarifying the mechanisms of EPO production and provide a novel therapeutic agent for anemia.

Free Research Field

再生医学　腎臓内科学