Creation of an extensive jawbone reconstruction method using intrafollicular neural crest-derived stem cells

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K21024
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0907:Oral science and related fields
• Research Institution: Showa University
• Principal Investigator: Urano Eri 昭和大学, 歯学部, 助教 (20756225)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 神経堤由来細胞 / 骨芽細胞 / 足場 / 毛包 / 幹細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of our study was to establish a scaffold for transplantation of neural crest-derived stem cells in hair follicles into jaw bone defects and to analyze their function after transplantation in order to create a method for extensive jaw bone reconstruction using neural crest-derived stem cells in hair follicles. To investigate the method of transplantation of neural crest-derived stem cells in hair follicles, we examined the method of transplanting neural crest-derived stem cells in hair follicles, which were grown by our established high-purity culture method, into bone defects. We selected (1) collagen gel, (2) cell sheets, and (3) lyophilized sponges as scaffolds for transplantation. Neural crest-derived stem cells of hair follicles were transplanted into mouse skull defects using each of these scaffolds. Within the period of this study, the proliferated neural crest-derived stem cells of hair follicles failed to result in repair of the skull defect.

Free Research Field

補綴歯学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

今回の研究期間内では、増殖した毛包の神経堤由来幹細胞が頭蓋骨欠損部を修復する結果を得ることが出来なかったが、自己の細胞であり、最小限の侵襲で採取できる毛包の神経堤由来幹細胞の利用は、拒絶反応や倫理的問題を回避することができ、従来の自家骨移植では困難であった広範囲の欠損部を低侵襲に修復できる患者にとって非常に受け入れやすい顎骨再建法の開発につながり、社会的意義があると考える。