Our laboratory aims to develop innovative anti-cancer drugs that target cancer stem cells and fundamental therapeutic agents for refractory skeletal disorders, such as progressive ossifying fibrodysplasia, by taking complete advantage of animal and cell models and clinical specimens. In addition, we are addressing the challenge of elucidating the mechanism for homeostasis maintenance in inter-organ communications on the basis of bone tissue.
Research on innovative anti-cancer drug development targeting cancer stem cells: In recent years, cancer stem cells have been shown to play a key role not only in the development and progression of cancer but also in recurrence and metastases. By focusing on leukemia, a blood cancer, and intractable brain tumors, we are striving to develop innovative anti-cancer drugs that target cancer stem cells with the aim of eradicating cancer using animal and cell models as well as clinical cancer specimens.
Research on inter-organ networks and homeostasis: Recently, osteoblasts responsible for bone formation have been reported to be essential not only for the maintenance of bone homeostasis but also for various pathophysiological phenomena in the living body. To clarify the diverse functions of osteoblasts, we are investigating the existence of new intercellular (organs) networks between osteoblasts (bone tissue) and various cells (organs) in the entire body.
研究課題 Research Objectives
がん幹細胞を標的とした革新的抗がん剤創製に関する研究 Research on innovative anti-cancer drug development targeting cancer stem cells
臓器間ネットワークと生体ホメオスタシスに関する研究 Research on inter-organ networks and homeostasis
最近の研究成果 Research Results
Park G, Fukasawa K, Horie T, Masuo Y, Inaba Y, Tatsuno T, Yamada T, Tokumura K, Iwahashi S, Iezaki T, Kaneda K, Kato Y, Ishigaki Y, Mieda M, Tanaka T, Ogawa K, Ochi H, Sato S, Shi Y, Inoue H, Lee H and Hinoi E. L-type amino acid transporter 1 in hypothalamic neurons in mice maintains energy and bone homeostasis. JCI insight e154925. (2023).
Yamada T, Fukasawa K, Horie T, Kadota T, Lyu J, Tokumura K, Ochiai S, Iwahashi S, Suzuki A, Park G, Ueda R, Yamamoto M, Kitao T, Shirahase H, Ochi H, Sato S, Iezaki T and Hinoi E. The role of CDK8 in mesenchymal stem cells in controlling osteoclastogenesis and bone homeostasis. Stem Cell Reports 17, 1576-1588. (2022).
Hiraiwa M, Fukasawa K, Iezaki T, Sabit H, Horie, T, Tokumura K, Iwahashi S, Murata M, Kobayashi M, Suzuki A, Park, G, Kaneda K, Todo T, Hirao A, Nakada M and Hinoi E. SMURF2 phosphorylation at Thr249 modifies glioma stemness and tumorigenicity by regulating TGF-β receptor stability. Commun. Biol.5, 22. (2022).
Fukasawa K, Kadota T, Horie T, Tokumura K, Terada R, Kitaguchi Y, Park G, Ochiai S, Iwahashi S, Okayama Y, Hiraiwa M, Yamada T, Iezaki T, Kaneda K, Yamamoto M, Kitao T, Shirahase H, Hazawa M, Wong RW, Todo T, Hirao A and Hinoi E. CDK8 maintains stemness and tumorigenicity of glioma stem cells by regulating the c-MYC pathway. Oncogene 40, 2803-2815. (2021).
Ozaki K, Yamada T., Horie T., Ishizaki A., Hiraiwa M., Iezaki T., Park G., Fukasawa K., Kamada H., Tokumura K., Motono M., Kaneda K., Ogawa K., Ochi H., Sato S., Kobayashi Y., Shi Y.B., Taylor P.M. and Hinoi E. The L-type amino acid transporter LAT1 inhibits osteoclastogenesis and maintains bone homeostasis through the mTORC1 pathway. Sci. Signal. 12, eaaw3921 (2019) F1000Primeに選出.