Development of cyclic RNA-loaded exosomes with microRNA adsorption ability.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18658
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Chiba University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshimura Shusaku 千葉大学, 医学部附属病院, 医員 (30850995)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔癌 / 環状RNA / drug delivery system

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we found that tumor suppressor cyclic RNAs were significantly decreased in oral cancer cells, suggesting that tumor suppressor cyclic RNAs that efficiently and specifically adsorb and remove only miRNAs related to cancer progression and metastasis may be a promising tumor suppressor. We also identified miRNAs whose expression is upregulated in oral cancer. Furthermore, we designed an artificial synthesis of oral cancer-inhibitory cyclic RNAs that specifically adsorb to miRNAs whose expression is elevated in oral cancer.

Free Research Field

口腔科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究において、口腔癌細胞で癌抑制性環状RNAが有意に低下していることを突き止め、癌の進行・転移に関するmiRNAだけを効率的・特異的に吸着・除去する癌抑制性環状RNAが有力な癌抑制剤となりうることが示唆された。さらに、口腔癌で発現が上昇しているmiRNAに特異的に吸着する口腔癌抑制環状RNAを人工合成が可能になれば、癌標的治療の新たな方向性を見出すことにつながる。このため本研究が描く道筋は、口腔癌のみならず他の治療抵抗性癌腫で応用・展開が可能と考えられる。