Elucidation of the mechanism by which Myostatin induces differentiation of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells into tendon cells

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18028
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56020:Orthopedics-related
• Research Institution: Shinshu University
• Principal Investigator: Kitamura Yo 信州大学, 医学部附属病院, 医員 (00836033)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 腱分化 / 未分化間葉系細胞 / Myostatin / Follistatin

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Using the mouse undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cell line C3H10T1/2, we established a culture system to efficiently induce differentiation of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells into tendon cells, and showed that Myostatin promotes differentiation of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells into tendon cells by Real time PCR and immunostaining. The effects of Follistatin, an antagonist protein of Myostatin that has been reported to inhibit tendon formation, were also examined by Real time PCR, suggesting that Follistatin may inhibit the induction of tendon differentiation by inhibiting the differentiation-inducing effect of Myostatin.

Free Research Field

整形外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

腱組織の恒常性維持や損傷後の修復において重要な役割をなす腱細胞に関する研究は、他の筋骨格系組織の細胞に比べ著しく遅れており、分化のメカニズムについても未だ不明な点が多い。その要因の一つとして腱細胞の分化を観察するための再現性の高い培養系が確立されていない点が挙げられる。本研究により、より未分化間葉系細胞をMyostatinの刺激により腱細胞へ分化させる培養系を確立したことで、さらなる研究により腱細胞の一連の分化メカニズムをより詳細に解明することが可能となり、将来的には腱治癒促進する創薬につながる可能性を期待できる。