So far, the research group has succeeded in in vitro culture (organoid culture) of stem cells that control the regeneration of human large intestine mucosa, and has developed a technique for reconstructing cancer in vivo in mice.However, there is no technology for transplanting normal adult human colorectal stem cells into mice, and research methods for understanding the pathophysiology of intestinal diseases and colorectal cancer and developing treatments have been limited.

　The research group created a genetically modified organoid incorporating green fluorescent protein (GFP) by applying genome editing technology to organoid culture technology.By transplanting this GFP-emitting organoid into the intestinal tract of mice, it became possible to confirm the success of engraftment using a mouse endoscopy system.

　In addition, we decided to reconstruct the human large intestine epithelial structure in the intestinal tract of mice by engrafting the genetically modified organoids created at the same site for a long period of time (10 months or more) by using a technique to exfoliate the epithelial mucosa of the mouse large intestine. success.Furthermore, we have developed a technique for observing the dynamics of specific cells in vivo.As a result, we succeeded in observing human large intestine epithelial stem cells alive in the living body of mice, and demonstrated the normal human large intestine stem cells in vivo, which was presumed to exist from the experimental results in mice.

　This research will be a new means for studying human colorectal disease cells, and will elucidate the function of normal stem cells aiming at the cure of inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer in the future, and develop new treatment methods. It is expected to be connected.

Paper information:[Cell Stem Cell] Reconstruction of the Human Colon Epithelium In Vivo