Development of a treatment using adipose-derived Schwann-like cells for defecation dysfunction after anorectal malformation surgery.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K08596
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55010:General surgery and pediatric surgery-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: ISHIBASHI Hiroki 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(医学域), 講師 (20314867)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 池本 哲也 徳島大学, 病院, 教授 (20398019) ; 齋藤 裕 徳島大学, 病院, 講師 (50548675) ; 森 大樹 徳島大学, 病院, 特任助教 (70448330)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 鎖肛 / 直腸肛門奇形 / 排便機能障害 / 脂肪由来Schwann様細胞 / ADSC

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In anorectal malformation, the sphincter muscles are often congenitally poorly formed and developed, making postoperative defecation management difficult. In the present study, we aimed to establish the effects of adipose-derived Schwann-like cells (SLC) administration on nerve regeneration and improvement of defecation function in a defecation injury model of anal-clavicular anus, with the aim of clinical application. In this study, a protocol to induce differentiation of ADSCs into SLCs was established and the effects of SLCs were investigated by administering SLCs after the creation of a defaecal injury rat model. The results are as follows: 1. Differentiation induction from ADSCs to Schwann cells was successfully achieved; 2. Defecation disorder model rats were created; 3. Transplantation of SLCs into the defecation disorder model resulted in improvement of bladder inner pressure and bladder wall thickness.

Free Research Field

小児外科学分野、再生医療分野

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

鎖肛（直腸肛門奇形）では、先天的に括約筋群の形成・発達が悪い事も多く、特に高位型では直腸肛門形成術を施行しても排便機能が不良な症例が存在し、術後の排便管理に難渋している。鎖肛において骨盤内臓神経再生による排便機能改善効果についての報告はなく、ADSCを用いた骨盤内臓神経再生・排便障害改善が確立され、臨床応用できれば画期的な治療法となる。