Drug development using iPS cells derived from the dental pulp of the patients with neurodegenerative diseases, and metallothionein

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24590664
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied pharmacology
• Research Institution: Gifu Pharmaceutical University
• Principal Investigator: HOZUMI Isao 岐阜薬科大学, 薬学部, 教授 (20242430)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): INUZUKA Takashi 岐阜大学, 大学院医学系研究科神経内科老年学分野, 教授 (50184734) ; KUNISADA Takahiro 岐阜大学, 大学院医学系研究科組織・器官形成分野, 教授 (30255108)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): AKUTSU Hidenori 独立行政法人国立成育医療研究センター, 室長 (50347225)
• Research Collaborator: KANEKO Masayuki ; INDEN Masatoshi ; NOGUCHI Takao ; ONO Hiroshi ; IKEGAMI Saori ; IRIYAMA Masaki ; KUDO Daichi ; IWASHITA Wakana
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 神経変性疾患 / iPS細胞 / メタロチオネイン / 筋萎縮性側索硬化症 / 分化誘導 / 創薬

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have been producing iPS cells from dentate pulp in the wisdom teeth and blood cells. We have been planning to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-model dogs with dental pulp stem cells. Metallothionine (MT) is a zinc- modulating protein and play important roles in the progression of ALS. In this study we have investigated also a zinc-modulating transporters ZnT families and found the decrease of ZnT-3 and ZnT-6, in particular in the spinal cords of the patients with ALS. This indicates that MT, ZnT-3 and ZnT-6 play pivotal roles in ALS. We have been revealing the roles of these proteins in ALS using iPS cells derived from ALS patients.

Free Research Field

薬物治療学