Can Biologics be a Treatment for Spinal Ligament Ossification ?

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18413
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56010:Neurosurgery-related
• Research Institution: Hirosaki University
• Principal Investigator: Asari Toru 弘前大学, 医学研究科, 客員研究員 (40529674)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 脊柱靱帯骨化症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we isolated and cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from spinal ligaments harvested during surgery from patients with ossification of spinal ligaments to elucidate how inflammatory cytokines are involved in the osteogenic potential of cultured MSCs and whether inhibitors of inflammatory cytokines can be used as therapeutic agents. We investigated the involvement of inflammatory cytokines in the osteogenesis of cultured MSC. The effect of teriparatide administration to cultured MSCs showed no difference in the degree of osteo-differentiation in patient-derived and non-patient-derived MSCs. Administration of biologics to patient-derived cultured MSCs did not have a significant inhibitory effect on osteo-differentiation. Future changes or additions to biologics as a treatment for patients with spinal ligament ossification are warranted.

Free Research Field

整形外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

脊柱靱帯骨化症患者から由来する間葉系幹細胞へ骨粗鬆症治療薬で使用している骨形成促進薬を投与した所、患者由来細胞と非患者由来細胞では骨分化能に差はなかった。また、自己免疫性疾患で使用している生物学的製剤を投与した所、患者由来培養細胞においても骨化抑制効果は認めなかった。
これらから、脊柱靱帯骨化症患者において骨形成促進薬の投与は骨化を悪化させない可能性があり、また、生物学的製剤は骨化促進を抑制しない可能性が考えられた。