Human endogenous retrovirus envelope protein-mediated transport system of placenta-derived exosomes in human placental trophoblasts

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K22708
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0801:Pharmaceutical sciences and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: INAGAKI Mai 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(薬学域), 助教 (90878274)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 胎盤 / 胎盤栄養膜細胞 / エクソソーム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Clarifying transport system of exosomes in human placental trophoblasts is important to develop the placental drug delivery system for large molecule, such as peptides and nucleic acids, which would lead to the development of new therapy for pregnancy-specific diseases. The present study has revealed that placenta-derived exosomes are taken up by human placental trophoblasts via sialic acid-binding receptors and heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Moreover, MFSD would function as a receptor of exosomes in human placental trophoblasts. Here, we show the transport system of placenta-derived exosomes in human placental trophoblasts.

Free Research Field

生物薬剤学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究を通して、エクソソームをキャリアーとして用いた、胎盤栄養膜細胞への高分子薬送達の学術的基盤を構築した。本研究成果は、内在性レトロウイルス由来エンベロープタンパク質の膜融合能を利用した、ヒト胎盤組織へのエクソソーム送達システムの構築や、高分子医薬による「胎盤治療」を軸とした、妊娠合併症に対する治療薬の開発戦略に貢献することが期待される。