Development of optimally cross-linked collagen scaffold directed to differentiation control of stem cells

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K15704
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Prosthodontics/ Dental materials science and
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Kaku Masaru 新潟大学, 医歯学系, 准教授 (30547542)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: コラーゲン架橋 / 幹細胞 / 移植担体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study is based on the idea that control of collagen cross-linking in collagen-based cell transplantation carrier not only changes the mechanical properties of the material but also can promote osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. The aim of this project was to analyze the effect of collagen crosslinking on osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. The addition of a crosslinking inhibitor in the osteoblast culture system under certain conditions has succeeded in selectively reducing collagen crosslinking without affecting the amount of collagen produced. Furthermore, it was revealed that changes in collagen crosslinking affect proliferation, initial adhesion, and osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Free Research Field

歯科補綴学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究ではコラーゲン架橋の変化が間葉系幹細胞の骨芽細胞分化に影響を及ぼすことを明らかにした。幹細胞の分化制御には多様な因子が影響を及ぼすことが知られているが、細胞外微小環境としてのコラーゲン、中でもその分子間架橋構造による分化制御は新たな知見である。架橋の変化による幹細胞の分化制御機構は、再生医療に広く使われるコラーゲンを基材とした移植担体や補填材の開発への応用が期待される。