Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Effects on Tendon Suture Models - From the Perspective of Anti-inflammatory Effects-

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K16975
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56070:Plastic and reconstructive surgery-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Shibuya Yoichiro 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 講師 (50783883)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-03-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 腱縫合モデル / 間葉系幹細胞 / 脂肪由来幹細胞 / 抗炎症効果

Outline of Final Research Achievements

After hand flexor tendon injury, function often remains limited. In this study, we analyzed the effects of transplantation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs), one of the mesenchymal stem cells, into our previously developed mouse Achilles tendon suture model. hASC transplantation group showed functional improvement compared to the control group. Histologically, the hASC transplant group had significantly higher collagen fiber density and significantly less ectopic cartilage formation. Gene expression analysis showed that the hASC transplantation group showed significantly higher expression of anti-inflammatory gene on postoperative day 7 and significantly higher expression of collagen-related genes on postoperative week 6 than the control group. The results suggest that the reduction of inflammation in the acute phase leads to better qualitative and functional healing.

Free Research Field

形成外科学、創傷外科学、再生医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでに、腱損傷モデルにおいて、脂肪由来幹細胞の持つ抗炎症/免疫調整効果の解析を行った報告はなかった。手指屈筋腱損傷では、上述のように、機能予後が悪い例が少なくない。脂肪由来幹細胞移植によりこれらが改善すれば、これまで機能障害が残存した患者の福音となる可能性がある。