2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Gut-Liver-on-a-Chip to investigate the progression mechanisms of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases
| Project/Area Number |
21H01728
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Review Section |
Basic Section 27040:Biofunction and bioprocess engineering-related
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| Research Institution | Kyoto University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
平井 義和 京都大学, 工学研究科, 講師 (40452271)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | 非アルコール性脂肪肝疾患 / 組織チップ / 腸肝連関 / ヒト多能性幹細胞 / マイクロ流体デバイス / オルガノイド |
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a serious condition that can progress to liver cirrhosis, making liver transplantation the only ultimate treatment. Effective treatment could eliminate the need for transplants, but no such drugs exist yet. The complexity of NAFLD arises from its association with the interaction of multiple organs, including the gut and liver, and the full mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, a simple in vitro NAFLD model is urgently needed.
Our research team has developed a multi-organ chip featuring liver and gut organoids from human pluripotent stem cells, successfully replicating NAFLD. The chip includes sensors for real-time measurement of organ functions, allowing us to analyze NAFLD progression over time. Using genetic analysis and metabolite measurement, we aim to elucidate the process from NAFLD onset to severity. These insights significantly enhance our understanding of NAFLD, aiming to develop preventive and therapeutic measures in the future.
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| Free Research Field |
幹細胞工学
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| Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements |
非アルコール性脂肝疾患（NAFLD）は進行すると肝硬変などの深刻な状態に至り、肝移植が必要となりますが、効果的な治療薬はまだありません。NAFLDは腸や肝臓など複数の臓器の相互作用に関連しているため、そのメカニズムは解明されていません。我々の研究チームは、ヒト多能性幹細胞から作製した肝臓と小腸のオルガノイドを用いた多組織チップを開発し、NAFLDを再現しました。各臓器の機能をリアルタイムで測定できるセンサーを備え、遺伝子解析や代謝物測定を通じてNAFLDの発症から重篤化までのプロセスを解明しました。これにより、NAFLDの理解が深まり、予防や治療法の開発に貢献することを目指しています。
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