Development of synthetic polymer gels that control the function of pluripotent stem cells

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15357
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 48040:Medical biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University (2022-2023); Hokkaido University (2021)
• Principal Investigator: Hirota Akira 京都大学, 高等研究院, 特定研究員 (20847181)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 多能性幹細胞 / ハイドロゲル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are fundamental resources for regenerative medicine. However, their maintenance and differentiation induction require various growth factors, posing challenges in terms of high costs, reproducibility, and efficiency. To address this issue, this study attempted to develop novel culture scaffold. Using synthetic hydrogels with positive charges and mouse ES cells, it was found that surface charge influences the signals required to maintain stem cell function. In addition, we have also examined in human cells and found that part of this effect was successfully demonstrated. These results provide a new insight into the connection between the surface charge on the culture substrate and the signals that maintain stemness, and bring us closer to realizing the creation of new biomaterials that control stemness.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ES/iPS細胞などの多能性幹細胞は、周囲の環境の微妙な変化が、未分化性や分化能に重大な影響を及ぼす。本研究では多能性幹細胞の未分化性の維持に着目し、組成が明確な合成ハイドロゲルを用いることで、幹細胞機能を制御する新たな足場の物理的な性質とその分子メカニズムの理解が前進した。これは「細胞外基質の様々な性質が幹細胞機能にどのように影響するのか」という細胞生物学上の重要課題の解明に貢献するものである。今後、この成果を基に、合成培養基質を用いて幹細胞機能を自在に制御するという新たな潮流を創造できると考えている。