Kyoto Prefectural Public University Corporation

Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha

Yoshihiro Sowa

Tsunao Kishida

Osam Mazda

Toshiro Yamamoto

Tetsuro Orita

Kenta Yamamoto

Provided is a method of preparing a somatic cell including converting a differentiated somatic cell of a mammal to other somatic cell by culturing the differentiated somatic cell in a medium for inducing differentiation of the somatic cell other than the differentiated somatic cell in the presence of a TGF-β pathway inhibitor.

Cell preparation method

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a method for obtaining Schwann cells directly (by direct reprogramming) without passing through pluripotent stem cells, such as ES cells or iPS cells. As a means for solving this problem, the present invention provides a method for preparing Schwann cells that includes a step of introducing into somatic cells of a mammal at least one gene selected from the group consisting of SOX10 genes and KROX20 genes, or an expression product thereof.

Schwann cells and method for preparing same

By analyzing the mechanism for inducing a histone deacetylase inhibitor (Trichostatin A)-mediated expression of cyclin-CDK inhibitory factor having a proliferation suppressing effect (tumor-suppressing effect), it was revealed that the binding of Sp3 to the Sp1 binding sequence within a promoter is important in the expression of the above factor. Thus, a novel antitumor agent can be developed by screening a pharmaceutical agent capable of elevating Sp3 activity.

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Kyoto, Japan

Yoshihiro Sowa