Reconstruction of multiple facial nerve branches using skeletal muscle-derived multipotent stem cell sheet-pellet transplantation,

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K20328
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Plastic surgery
• Research Institution: Tokai University
• Principal Investigator: SAITO Kosuke 東海大学, 医学部, 助教 (80624551)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 顔面神経再生 / 顔面神経麻痺 / 再生医療 / 末梢神経再生 / 頭頸部癌 / 幹細胞 / 幹細胞移植

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have reported the therapeutic effects of skeletal muscle-derived multipotent stem cells (Sk-Cs) which exerted reconstitution capacity for muscle-nerve-blood vessel unit. The aim of this study is the application of Sk-Cs transplantation system to the reconstitution of facial complex nerve-vascular networks after severe damaged. The mice experiments were performed as the histological analysis and the rats were used for functional examinations. The transplanted group showed significantly higher functional score as compared to the Control group. In support, engrafted transplanted cells formed nerve-vascular networks with the differentiation into Schwann and perineurial cells, vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Thus, the Sk-Cs sheet pellet transplantation is potentially useful for the reconstitution of the complex facial nerve-vascular networks.

Free Research Field

再生医療科学