Prof. ARAKI

• Professor
  • Shigeru MIYAKI, Ph.D.
• Lecturer
  • Youhei EGAMI, Ph.D.
• Assistant Professor
  • Katsuhisa KAWAI, Ph.D.

• Currently, we are working on a project concerning the expression and function of microRNAs (miRNAs) in osteoarthritis. This project is highly original, as it is the first to address this new class of regulatory RNAs in musculoskeletal tissues. We have a strong knowledge base in cell and molecular biology and are familiar with a broad range of experimental approaches and models in this field. We have generated mutant mice and established animal models. We are an expert in molecular and cell biology and have in-depth expertise in bioinformatics. Our knowledge base not only includes skeletal biology but also provides insight into the mechanisms of pathogenesis in musculoskeletal diseases.
• Skeletal stem cell (SSC)-like cells are thought to play a role in maintaining musculoskeletal tissue homeostasis. In this study, we aim to identify novel SSCs using genetically modified mice and spatial single-cell analysis, which allow for the temporal labeling, tracking, and ablation of these cells. We also apply in silico single-cell data analysis based on custom machine learning algorithms to uncover key transcription factors and gene regulatory networks involved in SSC function and differentiation. Ultimately, our goal is to identify small-molecule compounds that modulate these mechanisms and to establish a foundation for musculoskeletal drug discovery.

• Morimoto K, Nakashima A, Ishiuchi N, Miyasako K, Tanaka Y, Sasaki K, Matsuda G, Maeda S, Miyaki S, Masaki T. Renal protective effects of extracellular vesicle-encapsulated tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 6 derived from mesenchymal stem cells. Stem Cells, 2025 Apr 18:sxaf022. doi: 10.1093/stmcls/sxaf022. Online ahead of print.
• Sanada Y, Ikuta Y, Ding C, Yimiti D, Kato Y, Nakasa T, Mizuno S, Takahashi S, Huang W, Lotz MK, Adachi N, Miyaki S#. miR-26a deficiency is associated with bone loss and reduced muscle strength but does not affect severity of cartilage damage in osteoarthritis. Mech Ageing Dev, 212: 111806-111806, 2023.
• Fujiwara Y, Ding C, Sanada Y, Yimiti D, Ishikawa M, Nakasa T, Kamei N, Imaizumi K, Lotz MK, Akimoto T, Miyaki S# and Adachi N. miR-23a/b clusters are not essential for the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis in mouse aging and post-traumatic models. Front Cell Dev Biol, 10:1043259, 2023.

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