Development of radical treatment for peripheral neuropathy by systemic administration of dental pulp stem cells

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K11925
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Surgical dentistry
• Research Institution: Aichi Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: kurita kenichi 愛知学院大学, 歯学部, 教授 (40133483)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 本田 雅規 愛知学院大学, 歯学部, 教授 (70361623)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 末梢神経再生

Outline of Final Research Achievements

ResultsThe sensory reflexes of the OCT group were restored to the level of that of the　intact group after 15 days. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed the cross-linking between the proximal and distal stumps after 2 weeks. After 4 weeks, Luxol Fast Blue and immunohistochemical staining revealed the presence of myelin sheath from the proximal to distal region of the regenerated tissue and S100B staining confirmed the presence of Schwann cells. Interestingly, no myelin sheath was ultrastructurally observed around the regenerated axons at the central region after 2 weeks.Conclusions：These results suggest that OCTs facilitate the recovery of sensory function. Additionally, the non-myelinated axons contributed to the recovery of the sensory function.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

末梢神経の損傷は支配領域の神経組織、結合組織および筋組織の機能的、形態学的変化をもたらす。軸索の断裂を伴う損傷を受けた場合には、自然回復は困難であり、患者のQOLは著しく低下する。このような有害事象が生じた場合には、従来の外科的治療法の適応となるが、高度な技術や長い手術時間が必要である。今回われわれが開発したOriented collagen tube (OCT)による治療は従来の外科的治療法と比較して患者への身体的負担が少なく、末梢神経障害治療の新たなデバイスとなる可能性があると考えられる。