Application of mammary organoids in the investigation of radiation effects on humans and laboratory animals

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K20455
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 63020:Radiation influence-related
• Research Institution: Fukushima Medical University (2020-2022); National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Kudo Ken-ichi 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (00805799)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: オルガノイド / 乳腺 / ラット / ヒト / 幹細胞 / 放射線 / 放射線影響

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The objective of this project is to develop mammary organoids as a tool for in vitro experiments to analyze radiation response in humans and experimental animals. The development of organoids with in vivo mammary-like structures was confirmed by culturing these cells embedded in collagen gels. Human mammary epithelial cells were also cultured in the same way to generate human mammary organoids with luminal structures. Flow cytometry and immunostaining analysis revealed that these organoids partially shared characteristics with the in vivo mammary gland, and that each cell organizing them showed a specific radiation response.

Free Research Field

放射線生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

様々な臓器を対象として動物実験による放射線影響解析が進められているが、ヒトと動物の架け橋となる研究手法は見つかっていない。また、古くから放射線誘発がんの起源細胞
は組織幹細胞だと考えられているが、幹細胞の科学技術が進展し、放射線生物学の分野でも幹細胞操作技術を応用した研究を展開する素地が整っている(ICRP Publication 131)。本課題はそのような背景をもとに放射線感受性が高い臓器である乳腺からin vitro環境でin vivoに近い性質を示すオルガノイドを作成し、低線量影響研究へ応用することでより効率的かつ迅速に放射線影響解析を行う基礎の作成を試みた。