In vitro assessment of canine tissue stem cells or iPS-derived hepatocyte-like cells to investigate their potential in drug metabolism evaluation

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25850214
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Veterinary medical science
• Research Institution: Azabu University
• Principal Investigator: Neo Sakurako 麻布大学, 獣医学部, 助教 (50532107)
• Research Collaborator: AKAIKE Toshihiro 東京工業大学, 大学院生命理工学研究科, 名誉教授 ; KUTSUZAWA Koichi 東京理科大学, 総合研究機構, ポストドクトラル研究員 ; ORITO Kensuke 麻布大学, 獣医学科, 教授
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 肝再生 / 犬 / 胎盤抽出液 / 長期培養 / 骨髄

Outline of Final Research Achievements

For the purpose of reducing animal testing and to construct an alternative method to animal testing in drug discovery research, we designed a basic investigation to create drug screening chips using induced hepatocyte-like cells (iHep). Tissue stem cells were used to induce hepatocyte-like cells which could be maintained over a long period, with preservation of differentiated functions. Canine bone marrow was used for the cell source and was cultured with human placental hydrolysate in order to induce hepatocyte-like cells. Contrary to expectations, iHep retained expression of hepatocyte specific markers in mRNA and protein, and maintained lipid and drug metabolism for more than 2 months. In conclusion, bone marrow derived iHeps are a potential source for drug screening chips.

Free Research Field

獣医臨床病理学、再生医療、獣医内科学