A group led by the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Iwate University, the Institute of Raptor Medicine, NPO Animal Hospital Okinawa, and Gifu University uses a uniquely developed method to identify endangered species living in Japan. We established iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells) from , Yanbaru rail, ptarmigan, Blakiston's fish owl, and Japanese golden eagle.This is the world's first establishment of iPS cells from an endangered bird.
Currently, there are many endangered species inhabiting the country, and 98 species of birds have been designated as endangered species.As a conservation measure, an integrated type is being proposed, in which in situ conservation and ex situ conservation including cryopreservation of cells are integrated.Nerve cells and liver cells are suitable for assessing the risk of infectious diseases and contaminants in wild animals, but it is difficult to use them in living organisms, so somatic cells derived from skin and muscle can be obtained.Therefore, the research group focused on iPS cells, which can be established from cells such as muscles.
Methods applicable to mice and humans cannot be used to establish avian iPS cells.Since the research group had previously established chicken iPS cells, they expanded on that achievement and simultaneously introduced genes that enhanced transcriptional activity into the somatic cells of Yanbaru rail, ptarmigan, and Blakiston's fish owl.As a result, the establishment of iPS cells was confirmed, and these iPS cells were also successfully differentiated into neural-like cells.Furthermore, we succeeded in establishing iPS cells of the Japanese golden eagle.
Infectious diseases and poisoning by pollutants are among the factors that lead to mass mortality of wild animals.By differentiating the iPS cells established this time into hepatocyte-like cells and nerve-like cells and using them in experiments, it will be possible to perform advanced evaluations of the risk of death due to infection and the toxicity of contaminants. If it can be applied to research such as breeding, new developments in endangered species conservation research are expected.
Paper information:[Communications Biology] Induced pluripotent stem cells of endangered avian species
