Developing a cell transplantation therapy for chronic multiple sclerosis by using Schwann cells induced from mesenchymal stem cells

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670423
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurology
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: KIRA Jun-ichi 九州大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (40183305)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): MATSUSHITA Takuya 九州大学, 大学院医学研究院, 准助教 (00533001) ; MATSUSE Dai 九州大学, 大学院医学研究院, 助教 (70596395)
• Research Collaborator: OGATA Hidenori 九州大学, 大学院医学研究院 ; FUJITA Atsushi 九州大学, 大学院医学研究院
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 間葉系幹細胞 / 細胞移植 / 多発性硬化症 / シュワン細胞 / 脱髄モデル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this project is to develop a novel cell transplantation therapy for chronic multiple sclerosis. Schwann cells were induced from rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by adding several cytokines. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and toxin(Cuprizone or Ethidium bromide)-induced focal demyelinating model rat were prepared as chronic demyelinating animal models. Induced Schwann cells were transplanted into these models, but no significant therapeutic effect could be observed. The instability of symptom of animal models might be one of the reason. But the low rate of transplanted cell engraftment was thought to be the primary cause of this result.

Free Research Field

神経免疫学