Functional reconstruction of denervated diaphragm by neural stem cell transplantation into peripheral nerves

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20515
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0403:Biomedical engineering and related fields
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Asami Yuta 名古屋大学, 医学部附属病院, 病院助教 (90908740)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 再生医療 / 末梢神経 / 横隔膜麻痺 / 機能再建 / 神経幹細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To reconstruct the function of the denervated diaphragm, fetal rat spinal cord-derived cells were transplanted into the peripheral nerve of a rat. Three months after cell transplantation, immunofluorescent staining of the transplanted site confirmed the engraftment of the transplanted cells within the peripheral nerve. Functional contraction of the diaphragm was also observed by electrical stimulation. Immunofluorescent staining of the diaphragm and histological evaluation using retrograde tracer indicated that the transplanted cells reinnervated the denervated diaphragm.

Free Research Field

末梢神経

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では脳や脊髄など中枢神経での再生医療とは異なるアプローチにより、脱神経された横隔膜が機能的に再支配可能であることを初めて示した。これまでに有効な治療法が無かった頸髄損傷や神経変性疾患による難治性の呼吸筋麻痺に対する新たな治療法の開発につながる可能性がある。