The elucidation of the role of microglia in therapy for cerebral palsy by human umbilical cord blood cells

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K08280
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52050:Embryonic medicine and pediatrics-related
• Research Institution: Kochi University
• Principal Investigator: Tsuda Masayuki 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系基礎医学部門, 教授 (90406182)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 都留 英美 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系基礎医学部門, 助教 (70380318)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 臍帯血 / ミクログリア / 脳性麻痺 / ケモカイン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) cells are currently being used for autologous transplantation in the treatment of patients with cerebral palsy. We have found that transplanted HUCB cells activate endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells, but it is unknown how HUCB cells interact with brain parenchymal cells and promote functional recovery. In this study, we focused on microglia, one of the glial cells in the central nervous system that act as immune cells, to investigate their role in improving brain injury.
When HUCB cells were administered to a mouse model of cerebral palsy, neuroprotective microglia were found to be increased. Furthermore, we found chemokines secreted by the increased microglia, which may be involved in the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells.

Free Research Field

再生医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

脳性麻痺モデルマウスを用いた実験により、臍帯血投与によって増加したミクログリアが液性因子を分泌し、内在性の神経幹/前駆細胞の遊走や増殖に関与していることを見出した。臍帯血による脳性麻痺治癒おける脳内ミクログリアの役割を示し、治癒メカニズムの一端を明らかにすることができた。この成果は、より効果の高い脳性麻痺治療法の開発や、液性因子を用いた創薬などにつながる可能性を示した。さらには、脳性麻痺以外の様々な脳疾患を対象とした臍帯血移植治療にも広がっていくと考えられる。