The University of Tokyo · Medicine
Professor Taku Saito's research lab focuses on regenerative medicine for osteoarthritis, with a central emphasis on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying articular cartilage homeostasis and degeneration. The lab investigates key signaling pathways such as Notch and NF-κB in osteoarthritis pathogenesis, aiming to identify therapeutic targets. A major research direction involves the application of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) for cartilage regeneration, including in vitro differentiation and in vivo maturation of hiPSC-derived chondrocytes in animal models. The lab also addresses translational challenges, such as minimizing tumorigenic risks in stem cell-based therapies.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multi-factorial and highly prevalent joint disorder worldwide. Since the establishment of murine surgical knee OA models in 2005, many of the key molecules and signalling pathways responsible for OA development have been identified. Here we review the roles of two multi-functional signalling pathways in OA development: Notch and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells. Previous studies have identified various aspects of articular chondrocyte regula
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a promising cell source for cartilage regenerative medicine. Meanwhile, the risk of tumorigenesis should be considered in the clinical application of human iPSCs (hiPSCs). Here, we report in vitro chondrogenic differentiation of hiPSCs and maturation of the differentiated hiPSCs through transplantation into mouse knee joints. Three hiPSC clones showed efficient chondrogenic differentiation using an established protocol for human embryonic stem cells. Th
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