Exploring the origin of the uncharacterized Hofbauer cell

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09777
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56070:Plastic and reconstructive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: KITABATA Reina 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 共同研究員 (70772474)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 酒井 成貴 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 講師 (00464941)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 胎盤

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Hofbauer cells are found in the chorionic villi of the human and mammalian placenta and are considered embryonic-derived macrophages that play a regulatory role, including anti-inflammatory functions. Hofbauer cells have been implicated in patients with maternal gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and complicated viral infections. We hypothesized that they might be more diverse than macrophages in vivo because they are the first barrier to the fetus. However, there are various theories as to whether they originate from mesenchymal progenitor cells, circulating monocytes, or hematogenous migration of primitive macrophages. In this study, we confirmed migration from primitive macrophages.

Free Research Field

形成外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

胎児にとって胎盤は母体からの第一関門となるため、生体内のマクロファージより多様性に富んでいる。成人では皮膚が外界との第一関門となる。皮膚ではLangerhans細胞が組織常在性マクロファージとして機能している。本研究によって、Hofbauer細胞が原始マクロファージ由来であることが証明された。これはLangerhans細胞と同様の起源であった。同様の起源である二つの細胞が類似した機能や分化する可能性を秘めており、学術的に興味深い。