A study for ligament reconstruction using a ligament construct produced by a bio-3D printer

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18503
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56020:Orthopedics-related
• Research Institution: Saga University
• Principal Investigator: Murata Daiki 佐賀大学, 医学部, 助教 (00772683)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 靭帯再建 / バイオ3Dプリンタ / 自動伸展循環培養容器 / 靭帯組織体 / 細胞構造体 / iPS細胞由来間葉系幹細胞 / 脂肪組織由来間葉系幹細胞 / 靭帯損傷

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to reconstruct tendon and ligament using a cell construct formed by a bio 3D printer to establish a new treatment method for ligament injury. A cell construct consisting of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells were autologously implanted into the defect created at the patellar tendon in each rabbit. Then, the implanted construct tended to histologically resemble the tendon tissue over time after implantation. Furthermore, a construct mainly consisting of human iPS cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells was made and then cultured in an automatic extension and circulation culture chamber. Thereafter, a ligament construct having mechanical properties similar to those of ligament tissue was produced.

Free Research Field

再生医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により，脂肪幹細胞から成る細胞構造体をウサギ膝蓋腱の欠損部に移植することで，時間経過と共に腱組織に近似していく傾向が認められた。また，主にiPS細胞由来間葉系幹細胞から成る細胞構造体を，自作の自動伸展循環培養容器で培養することにより，靭帯に類似する組織体を創出することにも成功した。以上より，バイオ3Dプリンタにより造形した幹細胞構造体を用いることで，生体内および生体外において，腱および靭帯を創出できる可能性が示唆され，科学技術的のみならず，社会的および経済産業的にも，大きな影響を及ぼすことが予想される。