Transplantation of Quality-quantity cultured Cells exerts cardioprotective effects by enhancing anti-inflammation and vasculogenic potential in pulmonary arterial hypertension model

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K08167
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53030:Respiratory medicine-related
• Research Institution: Dokkyo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Sekine Kaori 獨協医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (70408011)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 松田 晋一 東海大学, 医学部, 講師 (00328147)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 肺高血圧症 / 抗炎症作用 / QQ細胞 / 細胞移植治療

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It has been suggested that inflammatory cytokines are associated with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) for which no treatment has been established and the prognosis to support life is poor. The Quality-Quantity Cultured Cells (QQMNCs) used in this study are a group of cells that have vasculogenic and anti-inflammatory effects that are able to regenerate vascular vessels and regenerate tissue. The use of the anti-inflammatory effects of the QQMNCs on the effectiveness of cell transplantation treatment on an IPAH rat model was investigated. Compared to the PAH-untreated group, the QQMNCs-treated group had a higher survival rate and in a PCR analysis of lung tissue, there was an increase in M2 macrophages which is an indication of anti-inflammatory effects, and there was a decrease in inflammatory cytokines. The above results suggest the effectiveness of transplantation of the QQMNC that resulted in the anti-inflammatory effect on the lungs.

Free Research Field

小児循環器

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

IPAHは炎症性サイトカインによる細肺動脈の閉塞が原因のため、重症例は肺移植や肺動脈拡張剤の持続投与が必要であり、肺移植後はドナー不足・術後は免疫抑制を必要とする。それに対し、QQ細胞は抗炎症作用をもち、自己末梢血由来のため免疫抑制の必要がなく、短期間でQQ細胞培養が可能である。静脈投与により炎症部位に遊走し、到達困難な局所、臓器全体にも投与可能で治療部位を選ばない。肺移植までのブリッジ治療として、反復投与も可能である。このようなQQ細胞の優れた特徴は、細胞移植の臨床応用に向けての問題を解消する利点があり、限界のある難病の治療法として、社会的・医学的に多くの可能性が見込まれる。