Development research for treatment of sensorineural olfactory dysfunction due to nerve regeneration induced by combination of olfactory epithelium transplantation and inflammation controlling

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K11357
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: Mie University
• Principal Investigator: Kobayashi Masayoshi 三重大学, 医学系研究科, 准教授 (80343218)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 西田 幸平 三重大学, 医学系研究科, リサーチアソシエイト (10456733) ; 玉利 健悟 三重大学, 教養教育院, 特任講師(教育担当) (90585176)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 嗅覚

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is difficult to restore the function of olfactory neurogenic olfactory dysfunction that has resulted in loss of olfactory function. This study was conducted to establish the basis for the development of a new treatment to improve the prognosis of severe neurogenic olfactory dysfunction by combining olfactory mucosa transplantation with the promotion of olfactory nerve regeneration through inflammation control. Using genetically modified mice, the researchers created an olfactory nerve transection model and an olfactory mucosa loss model, and performed olfactory mucosa transplantation and anti-inflammatory treatment in areas of olfactory mucosa loss. As a result, viable cells were found only in some of the areas. The patients underwent olfactory testing using behavioral assessment, but this did not restore olfactory function in any of the cases. Further development of methods will be necessary if the transplanted olfactory cells are to exhibit even olfactory function.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究が成功すれば、現在臨床鼻科学領域で技術革新が目覚ましく進歩している鼻内内視鏡下前頭蓋底手術を応用し、ヒトにおいて経鼻腔的に頭蓋底骨（嗅裂天蓋）と硬膜を切除して、嗅球底部を露出させ、そこに嗅粘膜を移植することで、本研究の臨床的実用化を進めることが十分に可能であり、その臨床試験を経て、本研究成果に基づく新たな治療法の確立が可能であると考える。今後そのための研究方法の改良が望まれる。