MicroRNA transport from salivary mesenchyme regulates epithelial cytodifferentiation during organogenesis

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K08520
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General anatomy (including histology/embryology)
• Research Institution: Kitasato University
• Principal Investigator: Hayashi Toru 北里大学, 医療衛生学部, 講師 (10454266)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 顎下腺 / マイクロRNA / 分化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions are required for normal development in organs. We reported that gene expression in epithelium was regulated by microRNAs that are enriched in exosomes from mesenchyme in fetal mouse submandibular gland (SMG). Thus, we hypothesized in this study that “the microRNA signals between tissues” regulate cytodifferentiation during SMG development. Analyses of gene and protein expression using both immunostainings and qPCR suggested that spatio-temporal patterns of enzymes required for cytodifferentiation were regulated in part by the microRNAs imported from the SMG mesenchyme.

Free Research Field

解剖学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

器官発生のメカニズムの全貌は未だ明らかになっていません。異なる組織間での相互作用は、従来タンパク質にだけ着目されてきました。そのような中、私たちは短い核酸（マイクロRNA）が組織間相互作用を仲介することを明らかにしてきました。その研究結果を踏まえ、未熟な器官が機能的に成熟していく過程（分化と言います）に着目したところ、組織間マイクロRNA輸送が分化のタイミングを調節していることが示唆されました。器官再生などの研究分野に新たなアプローチを提供するものです。