Validation of prospectively isolated mesenchymal stem cells

Validation of prospectively isolated mesenchymal stem cells

Eriko Grace Suto,
Project Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at TMDU

After obtaining my master's degree from TMDU, I started my career in my present position. Although I am qualifi ed as a medical technologist, I have started as a basic researcher because I am fascinated by the mechanisms of regenerative therapy. My research seems to lie at a remove from medical technology, but my ideas are always rooted in what I learned from studying that field. I’ve been focusing on somatic cells in the human body, which contribute to homeostasis – in particular, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). MSCs reside in various tissues, such as bone marrow, umbilical cord, synovium, muscle, fat, and dental pulp, to retain the surrounding environment by regenerating tissues or by controlling immune reactions. These days, MSCs are used in clinical practice to regenerate cartilage or prevent graft-vs.-host disease, for example. For clinical materials, MSCs can be harvested from a range of tissues, and the source varies from product to product.

Previously we identifi ed that MSCs can be prospectively isolated using anti-CD73 antibody, which can be used across species such as human, mouse, and rat (Sci. Rep., doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-05099-1). Our finding provided an eff ective way for harvesting MSCs, and indicated that CD73 could have a role in controlling the function of MSCs.

Now we are trying to compare the characteristics of human MSCs harvested from various tissues. By elucidating MSC behavior depending on the source tissue, we hope to supply suitable MSCs for each disease. Thanks to helpful advice and assistance from many medical doctors, we have been able to pursue our research on human MSCs. I think this cooperative framework is one of the great appeals of conducting research here at TMDU, and I’m honored to do my work here.