Development of the technology for bone tissue regeneration using NELL1 protein

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23510255
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Living organism molecular science
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: NIIMI Tomoaki 名古屋大学, 生命農学研究科, 助教 (30377791)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): KURODA Shun'ichi 大阪大学, 産業科学研究所, 教授 (60263406)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 骨分化 / 細胞接着 / 再生医療

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The NELL1 gene was originally identified in craniosynostosis patients as being specifically upregulated within prematurely fusing sutures. Because of its potent osteoinductive activity, NELL1 protein may be useful for bone regeneration therapy. However, there is little knowledge regarding NELL1 receptors and NELL1-mediated signaling pathways. In this study, we demonstrated that NELL1 promoted osteoblastic cell adhesion through cell-binding sites localized to the C-terminal region of NELL1. We also identified integrin β1 as the major cellular receptor necessary for cell adhesion onto NELL1 and the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is involved in NELL1 signaling.

Free Research Field

分子細胞生物学