Establishment and clinical application of a novel organ regeneration method using salivary gland stem cells

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K10129
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Fukuoka Dental College
• Principal Investigator: Hiraki Akimitsu 福岡歯科大学, 口腔歯学部, 教授 (60404034)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 吉本 尚平 福岡歯科大学, 口腔歯学部, 講師 (70780188)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 唾液腺 / 再生 / 分化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Salivary gland stem cells A and B could be isolated and cultured from living mice using two techniques. These cells were able to induce increased expression of salivary gland differentiation markers amylase and AQ5, as well as salivary gland duct-like arrangements in two and three dimensions. It was suggested that calcium concentration, HGF, and type IV collagen may be involved in this differentiation induction. Further induction of differentiation is essential for salivary gland regeneration, and new conditions and stimulating factors may be necessary.
In preliminary experiments, cells isolated from mouse fetal salivary gland primordia showed strong expression of Galanin and R-spondin3 when co-cultured with mesenchymal tissue. This factor may be important in the induction of salivary gland differentiation, and we are planning to test it as a new stimulating factor.

Free Research Field

口腔外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

唾液腺の再生研究は唾液腺原基の幹細胞や多能性幹細胞（iPS細胞/ES細胞）を用いた、器官再生（オルガノイド）による再生医療が盛んに行われ、その成果が報告されている。一方で、臨床応用を目指した生体への移植において、唾液腺機能の獲得や安全面、倫理面での多くの課題が残されている。
本研究は成体マウスから唾液腺幹細胞を樹立し、これを幹細胞のソースとして、器官再生や幹細胞移入による生体の唾液腺再生法の構築と臨床応用を目指すものである。このように唾液腺再生研究の課題を解決することで、理想的な再生医療が可能となる。