Feedback signaling mechanism between cells and scaffold in the epithelial development

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K06244
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 44040:Morphology and anatomical structure-related
• Research Institution: Yokohama City University
• Principal Investigator: Nakajima Tadaaki 横浜市立大学, 理学部, 助教 (40631213)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 三次元デバイス / 細胞外マトリックス / 牽引力 / 応力 / 足場物性 / 相互作用 / 生殖器 / 子宮腺

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Various types of epithelial three-dimensional structures are formed spontaneously by physical factors derived from the external environment. The components and structure of the stromal tissue which serves as the scaffold in tissues are regulated by stromal cells, except for the basement membrane. However, we consider that the mechanical properties of epithelial cells and scaffolds reciprocally communicated each other via cell traction and changes in the mesh structure of the scaffold. In this study, we designed the mechanical properties of various epithelial cells and scaffolds using in vitro systems and developed real-time monitoring methods for the mechanical properties of cells and scaffolds.

Free Research Field

発生学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

上皮細胞と足場の力学的特性のリアルタイムモニタリング手法は、今回主に用いたミュラー管上皮のみならず、三胚様性の全ての上皮と足場の相互作用に応用可能であり、特に上皮構造が複雑な組織に適応することで、in vitroで上皮の形を再現することが可能になると考えられる。上皮が適切な形を取ることは、上皮の機能にも密接に関わっているため、平面での細胞培養系や、オルガノイドなどの単純な三次元培養系に比べて、より生体に近い評価系を提供できる可能性がある。