Short Bio
Education
Medical training; Yamaguchi University School of Medicine (1984-1990)
Medical Doctor license (1990)
Graduate school: Graduate School of Yamaguchi University 1992-1997
Ph.D. degree (1997),
Postgraduate Training; Guest Researcher at Laboratory of Experimental Carcinogenesis, NCI, NIH Bethesda (Chief: Dr. Snorri S. Thorgeirsson)(1998-2000)
Academic appointment
2015 January-Present: Professor and chairman, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University
2019 Visiting Professor, Niigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Science (Japan)
2019 Visiting Professor, Zunyi Medical University (China)
2020 Vice-director, Institute for Research Promotion, Niigata University
2021 Visiting Professor Osaka University (Japan)
SUMMARY OF PRESENT WORKS, RESEARCH FOCUS
1. Development of Stem Cell and exosome therapy for liver cirrhosis patient.
2. Analysis for the Cancer Stem Cell in HCC
3. Analysis for the mechanism of liver fibrosis (Liver cirrhosis), liver steatosis (NASH)
Activity
Japanese Society for Regenerative medicine (Director), Japan Society of Hepatology (Director), The Japan Society of the Study of Obesity, ACTO (Asian Cellular Therapy Organization) (Director), Japanese society of Gastroenterology, Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society, Fellow of American Association for Study of Liver Disease (FAASLD)
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapies for Liver Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a chronic condition that can lead to liver failure. Currently, the only available option for decreasing mortality is liver transplantation. However, liver transplantation is highly invasive. Therefore, stem cell therapy has been expected as an alternative. Previously, we performed autologous bone marrow cell infusion therapy (ABMi) which we started in 2003 and found that ameliorating liver fibrosis with inducing liver regeneration. Now, majority of trials focus on low-immunogenicity Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSCs) appropriate for allogeneic administration. We started clinical trial of allogenic adipose tissue derived MSC therapy for liver cirrhosis from 2017. Now Phase I has finished and now do Phase II clinical trial. From basic study we show that MSCs act as “conducting cells” and regulate host cells including macrophages via extracellular vesicles (EVs) signal leading to ameliorate liver fibrosis and promote regeneration. Based on the experience of clinical trial for liver cirrhosis we also started clinical trial of MSC therapy for severe cases of COVID-19 in 2020.
Allogeneic MSC therapy is attractive therapy that can be applied into a variety of diseases and patients and expand the field of regenerative medicine.