Development of novel regenerative treatment with cell sheet engineering
We conduct a joint research project with the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to apply tissue engineering skin tissue in a clinical setting. We transplanted epithelial keratinocyte sheets harvested from temperature-responsive dishes on a skin defect model of rats and demonstrated regenerative effects on a skin defect. A research project of fabricating a tissue engineering skin flap by combining the technologies of the cell sheet, a perfusable vascular bed and a tissue bioreactor system is now ongoing.
Detailed mechanisms in the endometrium during the pregnancy process are still unknown, and understanding the changes of their structure and function during the process is an important issue for reproductive medicine. In collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, we are conducting research focusing on the endometrium and trying to regenerate functional endometrial-like tissue. Both in vitro research to elucidate the mechanism of implantation of fertilized eggs into the endometrium and in vivo research to develop new treatments in reproductive medicine are performed.
Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel diseases including Crohn`s disease and Ulcerous colitis are defined as specific intractable disease, and the number of the patients are increasing yearly in our country. Pharmacotherapy is the main therapy for inflammatory bowel disease, but occasionally refractory cases to the pharmacotherapy are often observed. The research project collaborated with the Department of Gastroenterology to develop a novel therapy for inflammatory bowel disease using mesenchymal stem cell sheets are now ongoing.
Treatment of diabetes and its complications
Diabetes is a disease that causes various complications throughout the body due to insufficient insulin secretion and insulin resistance. In collaboration with the Department of Diabetes and Metabolism, novel treatment for diabetes using human iPS cell-derived islet cells is pursued. Additionally, research of new treatments for diabetic nephropathy and skin ulcer are also performed.
Almost more than 310,000 dialysis patients in Japan suffered from end-stage renal failure caused by chronic renal failure (CKD). CKD still no cure for directly retaining and improving renal function. Therefore, we have transplanted a cytokine-secreting cell sheet with therapeutic effects on the renal surface are evaluating its therapeutic effect, cooperated with nephrology in TWMU. Currently, we have confirmed the renal fibrosis inhibition effect on renal failure rat model after cell sheet transplantation. Now we have been researched to come true the clinical application.
Fabrication of tubular myocardial tissue
We are conducting a research project aimed at developing a novel myocardial regenerative treatment in collaboration with the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery. To date, we have succeeded in constructing a tubular myocardial tissue that can generate pulse pressure by wrapping a human iPS-derived cardiomyocyte sheet around blood vessels in rats. Using vascular beds, we aim to fabricate a highly functional myocardial tissue that can support the failing heart by generating strong pulsations in vivo.
Treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease
We conduct a research project to develop a novel regenerative therapy for ischemic cerebrovascular disease collaborated with the ischemic cerebrovascular disorder team of the Department of Neurosurgery. Previously, we demonstrated that allograft-mesenchymal stem cell sheets transplanted on ischemic cerebrovascular model of rat induced angiogenesis and neurogenesis, and that improved behavioral disorder. The project for developing a novel treatment of brain infarction and vascular dementia is now ongoing, to apply in a clinical setting.