Development of a surgically implantable three-dimensional cardiomyocyte structure that could serve as an artificial heart.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H03014
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55030:Cardiovascular surgery-related
• Research Institution: Saga University
• Principal Investigator: Nakayama Koichi 佐賀大学, 医学部, 教授 (50420609)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 伊藤 学 佐賀大学, 医学部, 講師 (50555084)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 再生医療 / 心臓 / iPS細胞 / バイオ３Dプリンタ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have been developing a technology to create surgically implantable three-dimensional structures using only cells, and have been working on the creation of three-dimensional structures using cardiomyocytes for the past 10 years. In this proposal, we optimized the implantation method of iPS cell-derived cardiomyocyte structures that were three-dimensionally created by a bio 3D printer, which we have already established, and aimed at practical application as an artificial heart with a constant beating volume in vivo. In this study, we mainly worked on the creation of cell-only structures that can be surgically transplanted. As a result, we succeeded in transplantation into small animals. However, the structure was not strong enough to be used in normal surgical operations, and delicate surgical techniques were required, which was a future issue.

Free Research Field

再生医療

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

様々な治療法が開発されているにも関わらず、他人の心臓を移植するしか助からない重症心不全の患者数は未だに増加の一途であり、慢性的なドナー不足も相まって、再生医療による新しい治療手段の開発は急務であり、再生医療研究の究極のゴールともいえる細胞による心機能の再生には数多くの研究者が取り組んでいる。我々は細胞だけで外科的に移植可能な立体構造体を作る技術を開発しており、我々の技術は製造工程も含め、生体にとって毒性や易感染性のリスクとなるバイオマテリアルを混和することなく、細胞だけで立体的な構造体を作成することができるため、安全性と有効性において国際的に競争力のある医療技術になると期待されている。