Establishment of the eradication strategy for cancer stem cells by targeting IRF2

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25460061
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biological pharmacy
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Sato Taku 東京医科歯科大学, 難治疾患研究所, 非常勤講師 (40375259)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 組織幹細胞 / 癌幹細胞 / サイトカイン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to cure cancer, it is necessary to eliminate cancer stem cells (CSCs), that is resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in a tumor tissue. Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are cell of origin of cancer in mouse skin cancer model. Interferon regulartory factor 2 (IRF-2) is transcriptional factor which negatively regulate IFN signaling in a cell. In this study, I found that the functional decline of HFSCs was induced by direct and/or indirect effect of physiologic IFNs in vivo in IRF2 deficient mice. Furthermore, based on comprehensive gene expression analysis and lineage tracing experiment, chronic IFN exposure induces “aberrant differentiation” on HFSCs. These effects of IFN may applicable for the strategy to eradicate CSCs.

Free Research Field

幹細胞生物学