Establishment of an exosome separation method derived from astrocytes and its application as a liquid biopsy

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20903
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0902:General internal medicine and related fields
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Marutani Noriko 大阪大学, キャンパスライフ健康支援・相談センター, 招へい研究員 (10909815)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: アストロサイト / エクソソーム / リキッドバイオプシー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to establish biomarkers for mental and neurological disorders, it is difficult to directly biopsy the brain. Therefore, alternative methods are necessary. Various cells release small structures called exosomes into the blood and other bodily fluids, including astrocytes in the brain. Thus, by analyzing astrocyte-derived exosomes in the blood, a technique known as "liquid biopsy," it is possible to discover new biomarkers for mental and neurological disorders. In this study, we targeted specific membrane proteins of astrocytes and investigated a method for separating astrocyte-derived exosomes in the plasma using an immunoprecipitation technique.

Free Research Field

精神医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

精神神経疾患の診断には確かなバイオマーカーが少なく、問診だけでは正確ではない。その理由の一つは、脳を直接バイオプシーすることが難しいからである。そこで、脳のアストロサイトが血液中に放出する微小な構造物であるエクソソームを分離し、リキッドバイオプシーと呼ばれる方法を確立することで、精神神経疾患の効果的なバイオマーカーを見つけることができる。これは、精神医療において大きな貢献となる。