VatanicVatanic

CONTACTCONTACT

iPS細胞を動物再生医療の真ん中にまずは犬から。

TECHNOLOGY

多様な疾患治療が可能に

Various Regenerative Medicine
expands from iPS Cells

iPS cells are pluripotent stem cells capable of differentiating into various cell types. We establish standardized animal iPS cells as the starting material (master cells) and provide therapeutic technologies in various disease fields from these cells to save as many lives as possible.

First, we will induce the differentiation of canine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from canine iPS cells to prove their efficacy in the treatment of various diseases such as systemic inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, spinal cord injuries etc., then proceed with development in order to obtain manufacturing and marketing approval as "regenerative medicine products for veterinary use" from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Canine iPS Cell Patent (PCT/JP2020/016924)Joint application by Keio University&Nihon University
  • Canine iPS Cell Patent (PCT/JP2020/016924)Joint application by Keio University&Nihon University
  • Canine iPS Cell Patent (PCT/JP2020/016924)Joint application by Keio University&Nihon University
  • Canine iPS Cell Patent (PCT/JP2020/016924)Joint application by Keio University&Nihon University

Canine iPS Cell Patent(PCT/JP2020/016924)Joint application by Keio University&Nihon University

これまでの技術課題を解決し、
真の「臨床グレード」と呼べる
イヌiPS細胞の構築に成功

イヌなどの一部の動物種は、ヒトやマウスと異なりリプログラミング因子の残存無くiPS細胞を樹立することが困難でした。慶應義塾大学 岡野教授と当社技術ファウンダーの塩澤・枝村らはまずコモンマーモセットの皮膚を用いて、様々な培地条件(成長因子や小分子化合物の添加など)・初期化遺伝子セットの組み合わせを検討した結果、神経幹細胞に似た性質を示す中間細胞を経てiPS細胞へと誘導される、新しいiPS細胞樹立方法を見出し、その後多能性誘導耐性を持つ他の動物種においても同様な効果を確認しました。本方法で樹立したiPS細胞は、三胚葉性の細胞や始原生殖細胞様の細胞への分化能を有し、かつリプログラミング因子が完全に消失しており、臨床応用に適した幹細胞リソースであるといえます。

Conventional

Compared to humans, mice, etc.,canine somatic cell Induction canine iPS CellInduction was difficult

  • Induction is inadequate with the same reprogramming factors as in humans.
  • Viral vectors are pathogenic in animals
  • Xenogenic animal components elicit an immune response.

Vetanic canine iPS cells

Inducing iPS cells with highly efficient
and high quality
while applying them safely to clinical practice.

  • Submitted papers
  • ・Non-viral Induction of Transgene-free iPSCs from Somatic Fibroblasts of Multiple Mammalian Species. Stem Cell Reports 16 (2021) 1–17
  • ・Non-viral derivation of a transgene-free induced pluripotent stem cell line from a male beagle dog. Stem Cell Research 53 (2021) 102375
Vatanic

現在の治療方法を一新する
可能性のある
イヌiPS細胞の構築に成功。

長期に多能性を維持できる新規の初期化因子セットを同定、
遺伝子をウィルスを用いずに細胞に導入し、
高効率で優れた増殖能を有する
「臨床応用に適した動物のiPS細胞」の構築に成功、
現在の治療方法を一新する可能性のある
動物再生医療等製品の開発をスタートしました。

現在の治療方法を一新する可能性のあるイヌiPS細胞の構築に成功。

参考)
「さまざまな動物種からiPS細胞を作出する方法の確立-幹細胞を用いた細胞工学の基盤となる重要なリソース-」(慶應義塾大学プレスリリース)
Non-viral Induction of Transgene-free iPSCs from Somatic Fibroblasts of Multiple Mammalian Species.  Stem Cell Reports 16 (2021) 1–17
Non-viral derivation of a transgene-free induced pluripotent stem cell line from a male beagle dog.  Stem Cell Research 53 (2021) 102375

We are expanding our technology not only to dogs,
ut also to cats, horses,
and other animal species soon.

現状の動物再生医療 今後の動物再生医療

Our patented technology has made it possible to establish canine iPS cells. We are currently working on the practical application of regenerative medicine products starting with canine iPS cells; but of course, we are not limited to dog only. Currently, cats are accounted for more than half of all companion animals. We aim to begin research on feline iPS cells as soon as possible to bring ease of concern and joy to their families. Moreover, horses also have close relationships with people as part of irreplaceable family members in other countries. We believe that the importance of regenerative medicine is even higher for these animals as their bodies is much larger compared to those of dogs and cats. We will advance the research and development so that regenerative medicine for horses can be put to practice use as soon as possible.