Elucidation of the Mechanism by Which MSC-Exosomes Facilitate Achilles Tendon Healing

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K16767
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56020:Orthopedics-related
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Hayashi Yuta 広島大学, 医系科学研究科(医), 寄附講座助教 (20881296)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: アキレス腱 / 腱修復 / 間葉系幹細胞（MSC） / 細胞外小胞 / レチノイン酸受容体作動薬 / 細胞系統解析 / 遺伝子改変マウス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Tendon injuries, such as Achilles tendon rupture, are among the most frequent sports-related musculoskeletal injuries. However, treatment methods for these injuries have not significantly changed in recent decades. This study demonstrates that the local administration of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) and retinoic acid receptor agonists facilitates Achilles tendon healing. Additionally, the involvement of tendon/ tendon progenitor cells such as Scleraxis- and Tppp3-positive cells in tendon healing is shown using newly generated genetically modified mice.

Free Research Field

整形外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

数十年大きく変化していない腱損傷の治療法であるが、MSC-EVやレチノイン酸受容体作動薬の局所投与がアキレス腱損傷における修復促進効果を示し、そのメカニズムの一部を明らかにしたこと、そのための解析ツールとして遺伝子改変マウスを作製したことに学術的および社会的な意義がある。