Bone and Cartilage metabolism

Extracellular matrix (ECM)

ECM is a giant supramolecular structure that exists between cells and is involved in the formation and maintenance of structures in tissues and organs. Recent studies have shown that ECM is not just a scaffold but controls cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, we are working on research on the effects of ECM on the metabolism of bone and cartilage tissues, and we aim to elucidate the pathophysiology and establish treatments for bone metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

Osteoclast regulation by sugar chain recognition receptors

Inflammatory bone resorption caused by periodontal disease, etc., promotes the formation and function of osteoclasts responsible for bone resorption, and this control is the target of treatment. Dectin-1 specifically expressed on antigen-presenting cells including osteoclast precursor cells functions as a recognition receptor for β-glucan, a polysaccharide. We have found that various β-glucan regulates osteoclast formation via dectin-1, and we have clarified the regulation mechanism and are aiming to develop therapeutic agents for inflammatory bone resorption.

Mechanical stress

In the bone remodeling mechanism, there are many mechanical and biochemical signal transmissions between osteoblasts responsible for bone formation, osteoclasts responsible for bone resorption, and bone cells responsible for mechano-sensing functions. In order to evaluate the effects of mechanical loads on bone cells, we aim to establish a physiological environment and a reproducible analysis format, and to elucidate the coupling mechanism of bone cells necessary for bone metabolism.