Elucidation of the mechanism of epithelial stem cell niche and its reproduction

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26462685
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Ophthalmology
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Hayashi Ryuhei 大阪大学, 医学系研究科, 寄附講座准教授 (70535278)
• Research Collaborator: YAMAMOTO Masayuki 東北大学, メディカル・メガバンク機構, 機構長
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 幹細胞ニッチ / 角膜上皮幹細胞 / N-cadherin / NRF2

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we aimed to elucidate the epithelial stem cell niche using the corneal epithelial stem cells as a model of stem cell niche focusing on N-cadherin and NRF2, and developed a new corneal epithelial culture system-based on the information obtained there. As a result, we clarified a part of the mechanism for regulation of N-cadherin expression, and also showed that this mechanism also contributes to normal differentiation of corneal epithelium. From the results of this research, we successfully differentiated corneal epithelial (stem) cells from pluripotent stem cells. In addition, it was found that activation of NRF2 remarkably increases corneal epithelial stem cell survival activity. Moreover, based on the results of this research, we succeeded in development of conservation method for epithelial stem cells focusing on NRF2 activation mechanism.

Free Research Field

幹細胞生物学、眼科学、再生医学