Identification of transcriptional factors and key genes in osteocyte differentiation

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19008
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57030:Conservative dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Dental College
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Eiixhi 東京歯科大学, 歯学部, 非常勤講師 (50778503)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 骨細胞分化 / 遺伝子改変マウス / ストレスタンパク質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to investigate the key factors in bone formation by using Bone Marrow Stromal Cells (BMSC) derived from transgenic mice. By using transgenic mice, candidate genes involved in the differentiation from undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells into osteocytes were identified. One of them, αB-crystallin (Cryab), a low molecular weight stress protein, functions in cytoskeletal homeostasis, suggesting that it plays an important role in differentiation into osteocytes or in maintaining osteocyte function. The results of this study will lead to the elucidation of the regulatory mechanism of differentiation into hard tissues such as alveolar bone.

Free Research Field

歯周病学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の推進により，骨細胞の分化制御機構および機能の一端を明らかにすることが可能と考えられ，その成果は骨細胞生物学の進歩に貢献できる。さらに，骨細胞の骨再生における機能は十分に明らかにされていないので，本研究の成果は骨再生治療の開発にも多くの情報を提供し，より予知性の高い歯周組織再生療法の開発にも貢献し，国民の健康とQOLの向上に寄与できると考えられる。