Immunological properties of corneal endothelial cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K10902
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Ophthalmology
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Shin Hatou 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 特任講師 (70327542)
• Research Collaborator: Shimmura Shigeto 慶應義塾大学, 医学部, 准教授 ; Fujii Shota 慶應義塾大学, 医学部 ; Yoshida Satoru 医薬基盤健康栄養研究所, 難治性疾患研究開発支援センター, プロジェクトマネージャー ; Sugita Sunao 理化学研究所, 多細胞システム形成研究センター, 副プロジェクトリーダー ; Takahashi Masayo 理化学研究所, 多細胞システム形成研究センター, プロジェクトリーダー
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: iPS細胞 / 神経堤細胞 / 角膜内皮細胞 / 免疫寛容 / T細胞 / TGF-β

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are developed from neural crest cells (NCCs) and may play a role in anterior chamber associated immune deviation, but exact mechanism is yet to be known. In this study, we focused on immunological properties of iPS-cell-derived-NCCs (iPSC-NCCs), because of its high efficiency of induction. iPSC-NCCs were hypoimmunogenic and had immunosuppressive properties in vitro. iPSC-NCCs greatly inhibited T-cell activation (cell proliferation, production of inflammatory cytokines). iPSC-NCCs constitutively expressed TGF-β, and TGF-β produced by iPSC-NCCs played a critical role in T cell suppression. Hypoimmunogenic and immunosuppressive properties of NCCs may contribute to the realization of using stem cell-derived NCCs in cell-based medicine.

Free Research Field

眼科学