Cell therapy for spinal cord injury by using human iPSC-derived region-specific neural progenitor cells

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16927
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 51030:Pathophysiologic neuroscience-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: IMAIZUMI Kent 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 特任助教 (10835846)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 領域特異性 / iPS細胞 / 神経幹細胞 / 脊髄損傷

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The transplantation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has beneficial effects on spinal cord injury; however, it remains unknown what subtypes of NPCs are most effective. In this study, we generated region-specific NPC subtypes from human iPSCs and grafted them onto the injured spinal cord in mice. We demonstrated that NPCs with spinal cord identity but not those with forebrain identity resulted in functional improvement in SCI mice.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

脊髄損傷治療における神経幹細胞の領域特異性に着目し、脊髄型神経幹細胞が最も高い治療効果を発揮することを明らかにした。この結果から、iPS細胞を用いた脊髄損傷再生医療において、従来の手法よりも治療効果の優れた神経幹細胞を作成できる可能性を見出すことができた。