Migration of umbilical cord-derived cells to injured neurons and microglia in 3D co-culture

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15618
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 51030:Pathophysiologic neuroscience-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Mukai Takeo 東京大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (60871324)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 臍帯由来間葉系細胞 / ミクログリア / アクチンダイナミクス / ミトコンドリア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We cultured mouse-derived microglia and adopted an activated microglia model by LPS. They were co-cultured with several lots of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal cells (UC-MSC) transfected with the GFP gene using a lentivirus vector. Observation of the co-culture for 24 hours and tracking of movement lines were performed using a live-cell time-lapse imaging device. The UC-MSC movement line was not significant, and it was observed that they were covered with activated microglia and monolayer culture. Using the small fluorescent dye JC-1 for microglial injury, we measured the accumulation of JC-1 by the mitochondrial membrane potential. Depolarization was observed, but no significant difference was observed between the UC-MSC co-culture group and the control.

Free Research Field

新生児学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究でUC-MSCが活性化型ミクログリアに遊走し被覆することが示され、以前我々が証明したUC-MSCの活性型ミクログリアの静止型ミクログリアへの特性変化に加え、UC-MSCの被覆保護作用が示唆された。ミトコンドリアの脱分極に関してはUC-MSCとの共培養でも変化がみられず、更なる実験系の最適化が必要と考えられた。