Functional analysis of Hox family genes in hematopoietic stem cells

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K07407
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Developmental biology
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Miyanishi Masanori 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, 上級研究員 (80542969)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 造血幹細胞 / 自己複製能 / Hox遺伝子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Hematopoietic stem cells are defined as blood cells that have the ability of self-renewal and multipotency. With these capabilities, they can continuously supply all mature blood cells such as red blood cells, platelets, granulocytes, and lymphocytes throughout their lives. However, how HSCs can maintain these functions over time in vivo and contribute to the homeostasis of hematopoiesis remains unclear. As a key to solving this issue, we used the long-term HSC-specific reporter system that we recently developed and succeeded in revealing part of the mechanism that regulates the self-renewal capability and multipotency.

Free Research Field

幹細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

造血幹細胞を用いた細胞治療（造血幹細胞移植）は、白血病等の悪性血液疾患の根治療法として６０年以上にわたり広く用いられています。その一方で、造血幹細胞移植に伴う副作用には致死性のものが多く、より安全な治療法の開発は極めて重要な課題であります。そのためには、造血幹細胞の基本となる細胞機能の理解は必須であり、今回の研究成果は造血幹細胞を含む他幹細胞においても有益な情報となります。また将来の造血幹細胞を用いた新規治療法開発に大きく貢献することが期待されます。