Placenta-to-brain communication-related transport characteristics of placental trophoblast-derived exosomes in the blood-brain barrier endothelial and parenchymal cells

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15314
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 47060:Clinical pharmacy-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: INAGAKI Mai 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(薬学域), 助教 (90878274)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 胎盤 / 血液脳関門 / エクソソーム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this research project is to clarify the blood-brain barrier transport characteristics of the extracellular vesicles (exosomes) secreted from the placenta, a pregnancy-specific organ. The present finding is that the placenta-associated miRNA can be detected in the brain tissue as well as the circulating extracellular vesicles in mice. The results have shown that human blood-brain barrier endothelial cells exhibit the energy-dependent and receptors-mediated internalization of the placental trophoblast-derived exosomes in which the placenta-associated miRNAs are encapsulated.

Free Research Field

薬物送達学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

脳への高効率な高分子輸送システムを開発するためには、脳内送達において障壁となる血液脳関門（Blood-Brain Barrier, BBB）の透過と脳細胞への送達技術の基盤開発が重要である。本研究は、妊娠期に特異的に出現する「胎盤」から脳への情報伝達(胎盤-脳連関)の仕組みを動態学的な視点で解明するという学術的意義がある。さらに、胎盤-脳連関におけるBBB輸送システムの新たな分子機構と役割を解明することは、中枢薬のBBB透過技術の基盤開発につながるという社会的意義がある。