Development of a new myocardial regeneration therapy using human iPS-derived cardiomyocytes for severe heart failure

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08432
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53020:Cardiology-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Kanazawa Hideaki 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 講師 (40338033)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 柴 祐司 信州大学, 学術研究院医学系, 教授 (70613503) ; 遠山 周吾 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 講師 (90528192)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 心筋再生医療 / iPS / 心不全

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we conducted a preclinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of using catheter-delivered human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) in the coronary arteries. The aim was to explore and develop new myocardial regeneration therapies and implement iPSC-based regenerative medicine for severe heart failure. Using catheter techniques commonly used in clinical practice, it was possible to administer iPS-derived cardiomyocytes to cynomolgus monkeys. However, when larger-sized myocardial spheres were administered in high doses, although the cell engraftment was confirmed, a large area of infarction was observed in the left ventricular anterior wall and septum. These findings indicate that intracoronary transplantation of iPSC-CMs is an inefficient therapeutic approach.

Free Research Field

循環器内科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

iPS由来心筋細胞を用いた心筋再生医療の具現化は、学術的にも社会的にも期待されている領域であり、より現実的で低侵襲な方法が求められている。今回検討した経カテーテル的な細胞投与は、低侵襲かつ実現可能な移植方法として有望であるが、iPS由来心筋細胞の移植方法としての最適化が得られず、引き続き、効果的な移植方法を模索していくことが検討される。