Elucidation of the Skeletal Muscle Microenvironment to Improve Transplantation Efficiency of Muscle Stem Cells

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K23283
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0909:Sports sciences, physical education, health sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Fujita Ryo 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 助教 (60770435)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 骨格筋幹細胞 / 骨格筋 / 細胞移植 / 幹細胞ニッシェ / 遺伝性筋疾患 / サルコペニア / 筋ジストロフィー / 筋再生

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research focused on improving the transplantation efficiency of skeletal muscle stem cells by examining their microenvironment, niche. Skeletal muscle stem cells are crucial for muscle regeneration and are expected to be used in treating sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) and muscular dystrophy. However, the low efficiency of transplantation has been a challenge. In this study, we identified GPR116 as a key factor for maintaining skeletal muscle stem cells. It was found that the absence of GPR116 leads to a decrease in the number of stem cells and reduces their ability to maintain a quiescent state. These findings contribute to the development of new treatments and are expected to aid in the future treatment of muscle disease

Free Research Field

骨格筋生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、骨格筋幹細胞の移植効率向上を目指し、骨格筋幹細胞の微小環境（ニッシェ）に注目しました。骨格筋幹細胞は筋肉の再生に重要で、加齢による筋力低下（サルコペニア）や遺伝性筋疾患（筋ジストロフィー）の治療に役立つと期待されています。研究の結果、GPR116という因子が骨格筋幹細胞の維持に重要であることを発見しました。骨格筋幹細胞のGPR116が欠けると、微小環境との相互作用が低下し、その結果幹細胞の数が減少し、休眠状態を保つ力が弱まります。この分子の発見により、骨格筋幹細胞のGPR116の発現を保つための微小環境を整えることで、より効果的な幹細胞移植を目指せると考えます。