2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Development of a new gene transfer therapy using nanobubbles in temporomandibular jyoint

Research Project

Project/Area Number	23792376
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Research Field	Surgical dentistry
Research Institution	Kyushu Dental College
Principal Investigator	HABU MANABU 九州歯科大学, 歯学部, 助教 (00360058)
Project Period (FY)	2011 – 2013
Keywords	超音波遺伝子導入 / ナノバブル / 慢性顎関節炎 / 抗サイトカイン療法 / アポトーシス
Research Abstract	Chronic inflammation in the temporomandibular joint alters bone and cartilage, which gives patients long term pain and trismus. Only symptomatic treatments are currently available for this dysfunction. We aim to establish a method for long term reduction in inflammation, by directly delivering a gene which produces an inflammation reducing protein in the temporomandibular joint. In this study, we investigated the possibility of a therapeutic gene application for temporomandibular joint tissues. As the method, the gene is placed in a nano-bubble, a very small shell, and then ultrasound is applied in order for efficient gene delivery to the tissues. The results show a sufficient amount of gene delivery for treatment. We plan to evaluate the effect of the method by testing in animals.