Development of a new therapeutic method to achieve recovery of self-hematopoietic function of radiation-exposed individuals by cord blood-derived fibroblast transplantation

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K08089
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: Hirosaki University
• Principal Investigator: Ito Koichi 弘前大学, 保健学研究科, 教授 (90398579)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 放射線曝露 / 被ばく医療 / マウス臍帯血 / 繊維芽細胞移植 / 造血系サイトカイン / 造血機能回復

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, the applicant assumed a large-scale radiation exposure accident for employees of nuclear-related facilities, and works on the development of a new treatment method aiming at recovery of the self-hematopoietic function lost in the accident. We have previously demonstrated the effectiveness of mixed umbilical cord blood transplantation to recover self-hematopoietic function. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of a transplantation method using fibroblasts contained in umbilical cord blood. Since fibroblasts can be easily cultured and proliferated, they can be a more stable source for transplantation in terms of supply. This research is positioned as the establishment of a treatment method that responds to the worst of radiation emergency medicine.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

東日本大震災に伴う東京電力・福島第一原子力発電所からの核分裂生成物の環境への漏洩事故以降、日本の原子力政策は原発再稼働と廃炉作業が同時に進行することから、その作業過程で生じうる大量放射線被ばく事故に対する万全な医療体制の確立は安心・安全な社会構築に不可欠である。本研究課題は、臍帯血に含まれる繊維芽細胞を放射線曝露個体の自己造血機能回復のための新たな移植ソースとして用いることを目標としており、これまでに無い試みと言えることからその学術的意義も大きい。