For tissue culture from pluripotent stem cells, fetal bovine serum of unknown composition, gene transfer, and recombinant protein are used.However, recently, methods using only small molecule compounds have attracted attention from the viewpoint of safety and cost.In 2014, the research group developed a method for inducing osteoblasts from pluripotent stem cells via the mesoderm using only four drugs.

　On the other hand, for tissue culture, it is considered important to create a tissue three-dimensionally as in a living body, not a two-dimensional culture.

　Therefore, the research group applied the induction method using only a drug to a three-dimensional culture system using an atelocollagen sponge as a carrier.

　First, it was confirmed that an inhibitor that maintains pluripotency of pluripotent stem cells could be used and then treated with a small molecule compound to induce pluripotent stem cells.However, unlike the two-dimensional culture system, it was found that the three-dimensional culture system can maintain pluripotency without an inhibitor.

　Next, the drug that induced osteoblasts was added to the XNUMXD culture system.Induction of bone cells as well as osteoblasts was confirmed.In addition, when osteoclast precursor cells were added to osteoclasts, the formation of osteoclasts was detected.From this, it is said that the induced osteoblasts and bone cells are as functional as in vivo.

　It is said that this result will lead to the development of therapeutic agents for bone diseases such as osteoporosis, the development of bone regeneration medicine, and the understanding of the mechanism of bone tissue formation and maintenance.

Paper information: [Science Advances] Three-dimensional system enabling the maintenance and directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells under defined condition