Identification of Skeletal Stem Cells Involved in the Homeostasis and Regeneration of Articular Cartilage

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K19586
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 56:Surgery related to the biological and sensory functions and related fields
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Adachi Nobuo 広島大学, 医系科学研究科(医), 教授 (30294383)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 味八木 茂 広島大学, 病院(医), 特定教授 (10392490) ; 寺村 岳士 近畿大学, 大学病院, 准教授 (40460901) ; 亀井 直輔 広島大学, 医系科学研究科(医), 准教授 (70444685) ; 中佐 智幸 広島大学, 医系科学研究科(医), 寄附講座准教授 (60467769)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-06-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 変形性関節症 / 関節軟骨 / 骨格幹細胞 / 軟骨前駆細胞 / 遺伝子改変マウス / 細胞系統解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common musculoskeletal disease that affects approximately 20 million patients in Japan. Despite its prevalence, the pathogenesis of OA remains unclear, and no fundamental treatments or preventive measures have been established. Understanding homeostasis maintenance and repair mechanisms of joint tissues, including cartilage, is important for developing new treatments. This study aimed to identify skeletal stem cells and cartilage progenitor cells involved in joint maintenance and repair. To achieve this, mice capable of undergoing cell lineage analysis were created, allowing for the clarification of the roles of these cells by selectively removing them. The findings suggest the presence of candidate skeletal stem cells and cartilage progenitor cells in joint tissues. These results will pave the way for further studies focused on developing new OA treatments and cartilage regeneration strategies using these mice.

Free Research Field

整形外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

軟骨を含む関節組織の恒常性維持や修復機構について骨格幹細胞/軟骨前駆細胞の役割を明確に示すことができる遺伝子改変マウスを作製し、候補細胞を示したことに意義がある。