Development of bone grafting using neural crest-derived stem cells in the maxillofacial region

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17168
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57070:Developmental dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Showa University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshida Hiroshi 昭和大学, 歯学部, 助教 (20823074)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 神経堤由来細胞 / 骨移植 / 骨再生 / 顎顔面発育 / バイオリサイクル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Bone defects were artificially created in mouse skulls, and carriers containing neural crest-derived cells were implanted in the defects and followed for 12 weeks. The results showed that the repaired bone had more similar characteristics to the existing bone when the neural crest-derived cell carriers were implanted into mouse skulls than when the carriers without neural crest-derived cells were implanted into the skulls of mice. For the purpose of reexamining the experimental technique, we examined the effect of the surgical method on the jawbone and reported that the surgical method had little effect on the jawbone, though this is a clinical finding in human subjects.

Free Research Field

矯正歯科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、頭蓋顎顔面に多量に存在する神経堤由来細胞を用いた骨誘導法を確立することで、唇顎口蓋裂患者への顎裂部骨移植術の開発を行うことを目的としている。本研究に用いる神経堤由来細胞の採取組織は、口唇口蓋裂治療の一連の流れの中で破棄される下鼻甲介から採取することができ、また細胞の十分な量の増殖も期待できる。
頭蓋顎顔面由来の神経堤由来細胞は、低侵襲かつ安全、豊富に採取でき、顎顔面の大半を構成する組織幹細胞群であり、患者自身から採取するため倫理的問題や免疫拒絶反応を回避できる点から、実現可能かつ理想的な細胞ソースと考えられる。