Vol13-1-e47

16/24

16AIST TODAY 2013-1life-liaison-ml@aist.go.jpFor inquiries about this article : Research Planning Office of Life Science and BlotechnologyProduction of human iPS cells using SeVdp-iPS vectorWe are now able to produce iPS cells efficiently from blood.Day 0 post infectionDeliver reprogramming genes into human skin fibroblast with SeVdp-iPS vector. SeVdp-iPS positive primary colony appears.Erasure of vector started.SeVdp-iPS negative human iPS cells emerge.Day 7 to 10 post infection3 to 4 weeks post infectionApplication of Neural Stem Cells Originating in the Olfactory Bulb to Drug Discovery and Regenerative Medicine Diabetes and stem cell transplants: Applying neural stem cells to diabetes treatmentStem cells have the ability to recreate themselves and differentiate into cells that constitute organs. Diabetes will be completely cured if cells that can serve as a substitute for insulin-producing cells are transplanted. Furthermore, if we can transplant stem cells (i.e., stem cell lines) capable of developing into insulin-producing cells, the supply of insulin will be continuously ensured to maintain the treatment effect almost indefinitely.We have developed a technique for differentiating adult neural stem cells into insulin-producing cells based on the various types of stem cell research that we have been conducting. If we realize stem cell therapy for diabetes using the patient’s own neural stem cells, we can eliminate various problems including the necessity for donors or immune suppressors. In practical terms, however, it is difficult to remove cells deep inside a person’s brain by surgical operation and apply them to regenerative medicine. On the other hand, the neural stem cells of the olfactory bulb can be obtained by means of a relatively simple operation such as an endoscopic procedure. We used animal experiments for evaluation, transplanting neural stem cells taken and established from the nose olfactory bulb of a diabetic rat into the pancreas, and found that the blood sugar level of the diabetic rat gradually decreased and that the rat’s clinical condition eventually improved.[1]such as nerve, heart, and liver cells by using the same approach as for generating iPS cells, expressing a number of transcriptional factors in the target cells. Gene delivery and expression system applicable to human cells without safety concern is a key of success of these novel approaches. At the Research Center for Stem Cell Engineering, we are investigating a novel gene delivery/expression technology ideal for phenotype conversion of human tissue cells, using generation of iPS cells as a model.As for the methods of reprogramming, there are several hurdles to be overcome for making the iPS cell technology practical. For example, the exogenous genes used for reprogramming should be erased thoroughly from the cells once the reprogramming is accomplished, as these genes are potentially oncogenic. It is also important to express these genes simultaneously at a fixed balance in a single cell for guaranteeing reproducible results. Generation of high-quality iPS cells from peripheral blood cells is another important challenge.The replication-defective and persistent Sendai virus (SeVdp) vector developed at the Research Center for Stem Cell Engineering is an innovative technology for expressing exogenous genes stably without chromosomal integration. The SeVdp vector is based on a special mutant RNA virus that can co-exist with host cells without any pathogenic effect. We recently proved that the SeVdp vector can clear all of the current problems mentioned above in generating high-quality human iPS cells. In order to create valuable human stem cells flexibly at will, we will continue to challenge developing new innovative technologies for the future.Deputy DirectorResearch Center for Stem Cell EngineeringMahito NAKANISHI

※このページを正しく表示するにはFlashPlayer9以上が必要です