Development of dress-up technology for cancer cell surface by stimulation with nucleic acids

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K19925
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 90:Biomedical engineering and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Kitakyushu
• Principal Investigator: Shinichi Mochizuki 北九州市立大学, 国際環境工学部, 准教授 (10520702)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-07-09 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 薬物動態システム / がんワクチン / 抗原提示 / 核酸センサー / ヒアルロン酸

Outline of Final Research Achievements

After modification of carboxylic groups on hyaluronic acid (HA) with amino groups, single-stranded RNA (oligo cytidylic acid; rC40) was modified there. Although the modification rate of amino groups toward carboxylic groups was about 6%, all the amino groups were bound to rC40. From analysis with multi-angle light scattering, we found that the conformation of HA was maintained after modification of rC40, suggesting the resultant conjugates bind to the receptor CD44.

Free Research Field

生体高分子科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでのがんワクチン効果の向上のための研究は基本的には免疫細胞（抗原提示細胞）をコントロールすることにしか目が向けられていない。本申請の様ながん細胞に刺激を与えるような核酸（siRNAとは異なる二重鎖RNA）を送達させることで細胞の表層を改変させ（MHCクラスI分子を発現させ）、CTL活性の向上を試みる報告例はない。その中で、本提案の抗原性改変技術はがんワクチンに対する新たな戦略の一つになり得ると確信している。