Development of a Multifaceted Approach to Prevent Cerebral Palsy Using Autologous Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells Starting from the Fetal Period

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H03080
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56040:Obstetrics and gynecology-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Tanaka Mamoru 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 教授 (20207145)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 落合 大吾 北里大学, 医学部, 教授 (80348713)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ヒト羊水幹細胞 / 早産 / 胎児治療

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and efficacy of human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) in preventing preterm birth. In the LPS-induced preterm birth model, hAFSC administration significantly reduced the preterm birth rate and decreased inflammatory cytokines. Administered hAFSCs formed aggregates with macrophages in the peritoneal cavity, leading to a phenotypic switch of macrophages to an anti-inflammatory state. Additionally, hAFSCs were established from amniotic fluid obtained from pPROM patients, and no bacterial contamination was detected. Attempts to isolate specific cell populations using scRNA-seq did not lead to the development of new isolation methods, but it was suggested that extracellular vesicles from hAFSCs may play a central role in their anti-inflammatory effects.

Free Research Field

産婦人科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ヒト羊水幹細胞は、羊水中から採取される間葉系幹細胞の一種であり、高い抗炎症作用を有していることが知られている。本研究は、ヒト羊水幹細胞が早産を予防する効果を初めて明らかにし、炎症性マクロファージを抗炎症性に変えることを示した。加えて、ヒト羊水幹細胞から単離された細胞外小胞にも抗炎症作用があることが明らかになった。これにより、hAFSCを用いた新しい周産期医療の可能性が示され、将来的には早産予防と関連する新生児の健康改善に寄与することが期待される。