Sex differences during differentiation of pluripotent stem cells

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06454
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42030:Animal life science-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Mawaribuchi Shuuji 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 生命工学領域, 主任研究員 (70554921)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 多能性幹細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The sex difference influences the properties of pluripotent stem cells. X chromosome is inactivated in female pluripotent stem cells, but long-term passaging results in incomplete inactivation of the X chromosome. The incomplete inactivation induces sex differences in gene expression on the X chromosome, and female-derived pluripotent stem cells are resistant to differentiation. RNAseq analysis of long-term passage of female-derived pluripotent stem cells revealed that the expression level of a gene increased with passage. This gene is known to be involved in the inhibition of neuronal differentiation and may be a molecular marker for differentiation resistance.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

再生医療等製品では迅速かつ安全な治療のため、品質の高い様々な種類の多能性幹細胞(iPS/ES細胞)をバンク化し、他家移植することが進められている。その際、治療目的に沿う細胞の性質(分化効率の良さなど)を持つ細胞の選定が必要である。X染色体の不活性化が不完全になった女性由来多能性幹細胞は分化抵抗性を示す。この分化抵抗性を示す分子マーカーを探索することは、再生医療等製品の各製造プロセスにおける品質管理技術において重要である。