Backgrounds

About 10 years ago, it was reported that somatic mutations typically found in blood cancers accumulate in the blood cells of healthy elderly individuals. It has become clear that the proliferation of stem cells harboring these genomic mutations—a condition known as clonal hematopoiesis—is associated not only with blood cancers but also with an increased risk of developing age-related diseases such as solid tumors, atherosclerotic diseases, and diabetes. This suggests an interaction between clonal hematopoiesis and other organs. In our Stem Cell Regulation project, we will conduct a comprehensive, time-course analysis of clonal hematopoiesis to understand the molecular basis of the expansion of clonal hematopoietic stem cells and the mechanisms by which this expansion leads to the development of blood cancers and diseases in other organs.

Objectives

• By understanding the mechanisms underlying the origin and expansion of blood cancer stem cells through the study of chromosomes and chromatin dynamics, we aim to validate concepts for cancer prevention and treatment.
• By examining the interactions between aging hematopoietic cells—including those associated with Down syndrome—and other organs, we aim to understand the mechanisms underlying the onset of age-related diseases such as cancer and organ failure.

Members

Project Leader Goro Sashida

• Maiko Sezaki
• Fuki Kudo