OPERATION OF TISSUE TYPE OR ORGAN TYPE BY USING NOTCH PATHWAY

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for changing the fate of a cell type, tissue type or organ type by modifying a Notch pathway function of a cell.

SOLUTION: Activation states of the Notch pathway and one or more cell fate controlling gene pathways are changed at the same time. The method is applicable to cells of any differentiation states. A lost cell population can be reproliferated and regeneration of diseased and/or damaged tissue is promoted by expanding the obtained cell and using it in a cell replacement therapy. The obtained cell population is formed into a recombinant and used for gene therapy or as a tissue/organ model for research. There are also provided a method for curing macular degeneration by modifying the Notch pathway function of a retinal pigment epithelial cell, a retinal neuroepithelial cell or both tissue cells, and a kit for forming the cells, tissues or organs having modified fate. An agonist or antagonist for the Notch pathway function or the cell fate controlling gene pathway function is screened.

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