Development of new surgical therapy using mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors for facial nerve paresis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10016
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56070:Plastic and reconstructive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Women's Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Matsumine Hajime 東京女子医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (80598144)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 顔面神経 / 間葉系幹細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cross face nerve graft (CFNG), in which autologous nerve grafting is performed between the intact facial nerve and a branch of the paralyzed facial nerve, has already been established as a reconstructive technique for facial nerve paralysis. However, this procedure requires more than 6 months to reinnervate the affected side, and in cases where the rate of axonal elongation within the transplanted nerve is low, satisfactory results cannot be obtained due to atrophy of the facial muscles. Therefore, we established a CFNG model using rats and further reported that adipose stem cell sheets promote the effects of CFNG. In order to move on to large animal experiments, we thoroughly elucidated the anatomy around the facial nerve in sheep, and the anatomy around the sural nerve, which will serve as the donor site for autologous nerve transplantation.

Free Research Field

顔面神経麻痺

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

顔面神経麻痺は突然健常者にも発生し、罹患者のQOLを著しく損なう。健側顔面神経と麻痺側顔面神経分枝に自家神経移植を行うCross face nerve graft（CFNG）は顔面神経麻痺の再建術式としてすでに確立されている。しかしながら同術式は患側神経再支配までに6ヶ月以上を要し、移植神経内での軸索伸長速度が低い症例では表情筋の萎縮により満足な結果が得られない。ラットを用いたCFNGモデルを確立し、さらに脂肪幹細胞シートがCFNGの効果を促進することを報告した。同法は顔面神経麻痺患者の病悩期間を短縮する新しい顔面神経麻痺治療となる可能性がある。