Development of a novel therapy for liver failure, using amniotic epithelial cells

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K16341
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55020:Digestive surgery-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Takahashi Kazuhiro 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 講師 (80794528)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 羊膜上皮細胞 / 肝再生 / 肝細胞 / 肝芽細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In vitro study, we assessed if human amnion epithelial cells (hAEC) derived from ectoderm could differentiate into human hepatocyte, using IPS protocol or previous AEC protocols used for mice AEC. But, we could not find any evidence of hAEC to differentiate into human hepatocytes or definite endoderm-AEC. On the other hand, using natural product, Isoharmnetin, there was some evidence that hAEC could differentiate into human hepatoblasts. We consider Isoharmenetin as a key element of hAEC for hepatocyte differentiation.
On the other hand, in vivo study, we could not find any evidence of hAEC for human hepatocyte differentiation.

Free Research Field

肝再生

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

廃棄処分される胎盤から分離される羊膜上皮細胞を用いて、細胞実験や動物実験で肝細胞に分化させることができるかどうかを検証した。Natural productであるIsoharmnetinによる分化誘導により羊膜上皮細胞が肝細胞の前駆細胞である肝芽細胞への分化を示唆する結果を得られた。今後、条件設定を見直すことで、分化できる肝芽細胞を増やすことができ、さらに肝細胞に分化させることができる可能性が示唆された。