Development of isolation method of musculoskeletal system-derived exosomes and elucidation of the mechanism of individual functional decline caused by decreased physical activity

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K22680
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 56:Surgery related to the biological and sensory functions and related fields
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Sato Shingo 東京医科歯科大学, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (40462220)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 整形外科 / エクソソーム / 非コードRNA / 臓器間ネットワーク / メカニカルストレス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we proceeded with the development of isolation method of musculoskeletal tissue-derived exosomes circulating in blood. In addition, we focused on non-coding RNA (ncRNA), which is known as a signal transduction factor between organs, and identified several ncRNAs whose expression in blood fluctuates with changes in mechanical stress or gravity. We also investigated the effect of identified ncRNAs on the functional decline of other organs. Furthermore, in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), we plan to carry out a comprehensive expression analysis of ncRNA in the blood of mice bred in space microgravity environment, and various preliminary preparations were performed for space experiments.

Free Research Field

整形外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

寝たきりや加齢による筋骨格系の機能低下（骨密度低下、筋力低下）は、個体全体の機能低下を引き起こすため、社会的にも医学的にも大きな問題となっている。本研究にて同定したメカニカルストレス応答ncRNAは、個体の機能低下を予測する新規バイオマーカーとなる可能性を秘めており、また、このncRNAを標的とすることで、新たな抗加齢治療薬の開発も期待できる。筋骨格系ならびに個体の機能低下を抑制することができれば、国民の健康寿命は飛躍的に延伸し、一方で医療費・介護費の抑制が期待できる。