Direct reprogramming of somatic cells by epithelial-mesenchymal transition

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K06826
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 48010:Anatomy-related
• Research Institution: Gifu University
• Principal Investigator: Motohashi Tsutomu 岐阜大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 講師 (40334932)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: ダイレクトリプログラミング / 上皮-間葉系転換 / EMT / 間葉系細胞 / 神経堤細胞 / 色素細胞 / 乳腺上皮細胞 / 角化細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Direct reprogramming, whereby cells are directly converted into another functional cell types, occurs primarily in mesenchymal cells but not readily in other somatic cells. In this study, our objective was to develop a direct reprogramming approach utilizing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) for various somatic cells. We identified transcription factors that induce EMT in keratinocytes, and demonstrated that the expression of SOX10, along with EMT induction, directly converted keratinocytes into neural crest-like cells. Additionally, we successfully converted mammary epithelial cells into neural crest-like cells using this method.

Free Research Field

発生学　幹細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

線維芽細胞以外の細胞種では容易に起こらないダイレクト リプログラミング法を角化細胞や乳腺上皮細胞で可能にした本研究の成果は、あらゆる体細胞のダイレクト リプログラミングへの応用が期待でき、この技術の基礎研究を超えた大きな発展につながる可能性がある。