Chondrocyte-like cell, and method for producing same

Abstract

Disclosed is a cell which enables the reproduction of a cartilage tissue and has a proliferative ability. Also disclosed is a technique for providing a cell supply source which can be used in a definitive treatment of osteochondrosis deformans. A chondrocyte-like cell which has the same properties as those of a chondrocyte and can proliferate can be produced by selecting a combination of an Myc family gene and/or a Klf family gene and a SOX9 gene and introducing the combination into a somatic cell. The chondrocyte-like cell can be used for a medical purpose of cartilage regeneration.

1 . A chondrocyte-like cell producing process comprising the step of introducing into a somatic cell a SOX9 gene and at least one gene selected from the group consisting of Myc family gene and Klf family gene. 
     
     
         2 . A producing process according to  claim 1 , wherein the Myc family gene is a c-Myc gene. 
     
     
         3 . A producing process according to  claim 1 , wherein the Klf family gene is a Klf4 gene. 
     
     
         4 . A producing process according to  claim 1 , wherein the somatic cell originates in humans. 
     
     
         5 . A producing process according to  claim 1 , wherein the somatic cell is a dermal fibroblast or an adipose tissue-derived stromal cell. 
     
     
         6 . A chondrocyte-like cell obtained by introducing into a somatic cell a SOX9 gene and at least one gene selected from the group consisting of Myc family gene and Klf family gene. 
     
     
         7 . A cell preparation for cartilage tissue regeneration, comprising the chondrocyte-like cell of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         8 . A cell preparation according to  claim 7 , wherein the cell preparation includes a scaffolding material. 
     
     
         9 . A cell preparation according to  claim 8 , wherein the scaffolding material is a collagen. 
     
     
         10 . An implant comprising a cartilage tissue constructed by using the chondrocyte-like cell of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         11 . A process for producing a cartilage tissue implant,
 the process comprising the steps of:   administering the chondrocyte-like cell of  claim 6  into a body of a mammal; and removing a cartilage tissue formed from the chondrocyte-like cell in the body of the mammal.   
     
     
         12 . A cartilage disease therapeutic method,
 the method comprising the steps of:   administering the chondrocyte-like cell of  claim 6  into a cartilage disease patient at a non-cartilage tissue site; and   removing a cartilage tissue formed from the chondrocyte-like cell, and transplanting the removed cartilage tissue to the cartilage disease site of the patient.   
     
     
         13 . A use of the chondrocyte-like cell of  claim 6  for the production of a cell preparation for cartilage tissue regeneration. 
     
     
         14 . A use according to  claim 13 , wherein the cell preparation for cartilage tissue regeneration is a therapeutic agent for cartilage disease. 
     
     
         15 . A use of a composition containing the chondrocyte-like cell of  claim 6  and a scaffolding material for the production of a cell preparation for cartilage tissue regeneration. 
     
     
         16 . A use according to  claim 15 , wherein the scaffolding material is a collagen. 
     
     
         17 . A non-human mammal forming a cartilage tissue, wherein the non-human mammal is produced by administering the chondrocyte-like cell of  claim 6  into a non-human mammal, and by forming a cartilage tissue from the chondrocyte-like cell in a body of the mammal. 
     
     
         18 . A method for determining the efficacy of a tested substance for a cartilage tissue,
 the method comprising the step of administering the tested substance to the non-human mammal of  claim 17  and determining the efficacy of the tested substance for the cartilage tissue.   
     
     
         19 . A chondrocyte-like cell preparation composition, comprising a SOX9 gene and at least one gene selected from the group consisting of Myc family gene and Klf family gene.