Abstract: The present invention provides a lipid nanoparticle and the like containing a pH-sensitive cationic lipid represented by formula (1) (in formula (1), R1 and R2 are each independently a straight-chain C10-14 alkyl group, a straight-chain C10-20 alkenyl group having one or two unsaturated bonds, or —CH(R5)(R6)(where R5 and R6 are each independently a straight-chain C5-10 alkyl group); p represents an integer of 3-8; and R3 and R4 are each independently a methyl group or an ethyl group].

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing lipid nanoparticles which function as gene transfer carriers capable of selective transfer to the liver or spleen. Lipid nanoparticles which contain a pH-sensitive cationic lipid represented by formula (I) [a represents an integer of 3-5; b represents 0 or 1; R1 and R2 each independently represent a group represented by general formula (A) (R11 and R12 each independently represent a linear or branched C2-15 alkyl group; c represents 0 or 1; v represents an integer of 4-12); and X represents a group represented by general formula (B)(d represents an integer of 0-3; and R3 and R4 each independently represent a C1-4 alkyl group or C2-4 alkenyl group, while R3 and R4 may form a 5- to 7-membered non-aromatic heterocycle) or represents a 5- to 7-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic group]. (I) (R1)(R2)C(OH)—(CH2)a—(O—CO)b—X. (A): (R11)(R12)—CH—(CO—O)c—(CH2)v-. (B):—(CH2)d-N(R3)(R4).

Abstract: The problem to be solved is to provide a novel expression vector capable of effectively expressing a target protein in mitochondria and suppressing undesirable expression of the target protein in cell organelles other than mitochondria. The present invention provides a recombinant expression vector for expressing a target protein in mitochondria of animal cells, and a lipid membrane structure having the vector encapsulated therein, wherein the recombinant expression vector has a promoter sequence exhibiting a transcription activity in the nuclei of animal cells, and has, under the control of the promoter sequence, a coding region which codes a target protein and includes one or more TGAs as codons corresponding to tryptophan. The recombinant expression vector according to the present invention can more efficiently and selectively express a target protein in mitochondria, and can be used as a more safe and effective drug for treating mitochondrial diseases.

Abstract: A lipid membrane structure includes, as lipid components, a lipid compound represented by Formula (I): [in the formula, a represents an integer of 3 to 5; b represents an integer of 0 or 1; R1 and R2 each independently represents a linear hydrocarbon group that may have —CO—O—; and X represents a 5- to 7-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic group or a group represented by Formula (B) (in the formula, d represents an integer of 0 to 3, and R3 and R4 each independently represents a C1-4 alkyl group or a C2-4 alkenyl group, where, R3 and R4 may be bonded to each other to form a 5- to 7-membered non-aromatic heterocycle (where, one or two C1-4 alkyl groups or C2-4 alkenyl groups may be substituted on the ring)].

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a dissolving agent which improves the solubility of a compound such as curcumin that contains an aromatic ring without changing the structure of this compound. The present invention is a compound which is represented by general formula (1). (In the formula, R1 is an alkyl group having 7 to 24 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group; A1 represents an optionally substituted aryl group; Z1 represents a single bond, an alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an alkenylene group having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms; and Z2 represents a divalent linking group.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a composition comprising a population of mitochondria with a smaller size and a population of lipid membrane-based vesicles encapsulating mitochondria in a closed space and a method for producing the composition.

Abstract: A lipid membrane structure includes, as lipid components, a lipid compound represented by Formula (I): (R1)(R2)C(OH)—(CH3)a—(O—CO)b—X??(I) [in the formula, a represents an integer of 3 to 5; b represents an integer of 0 or 1; R1 and R2 each independently represents a linear hydrocarbon group that may have —CO—O—; and X represents a 5- to 7-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic group or a group represented by Formula (B) (in the formula, d represents an integer of 0 to 3, and R3 and R4 each independently represents a C1-4 alkyl group or a C2-4 alkenyl group, where, R3 and R4 may be bonded to each other to form a 5- to 7-membered non-aromatic heterocycle (where, one or two C1-4 alkyl groups or C2-4 alkenyl groups may be substituted on the ring)].

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a flow path structure body for forming self-assembling molecular particles. The flow path structure body has a base body and a flow path structure provided to the interior thereof, the flow path structure having a first introduction channel 10 and a second introduction channel 20 that are independent of one another on the upstream side of the flow path structure, and the introduction channels merging at a merging site. The flow path structure has a dilution flow path 40 that is bent three-dimensionally toward the downstream side of the merging site. The dilution flow path 40 has two or more Y structural elements 50 that protrude out in the Y direction and one or more Z structural elements 60 that protrude out in the Z direction within the dilution flow path, and at least two adjacent Y structural elements protrude out alternately in the Y direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an O/W type emulsion having a volume median diameter of not more than 100 nm and containing a compound represented by the formula (1) wherein Xa and Xb are each independently X1, X2 or a 1,4-piperazinediyl group; s is 1 or 2, R4 is an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, na and nb are each independently 0 or 1, R1a, R1b, R2a and R2b are each independently an alkylene group having 1-6 carbon atoms, Ya and Yb are each independently an ester bond, or the like, and R3a and R3b are each independently a liposoluble vitamin residue or the like.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a lipid nanoparticle in which a nucleic acid, etc., required in genome editing is encapsulated and which can be produced by an alcohol dilution method using flow channels and contributes to high genome editing efficiency. The present invention pertains to a lipid nanoparticle which comprises a lipid component, a DNA nuclease, a guide RNA and a single-stranded oligonucleotide, wherein: the lipid component comprises a pH-sensitive cationic lipid, a neutral phospholipid and a polyalkylene glycol-modified lipid; the ratio of the pH-sensitive cationic lipid relative to the total lipids constituting the lipid nanoparticle is 30-50 mol %; the ratio of the neutral phospholipid relative to the total lipids constituting the lipid nanoparticle is 20-50 mol %; and the ratio of the polyalkylene glycol-modified lipid relative to the total lipids constituting the lipid nanoparticle is 1-4 mol %.

Abstract: Provided herein are a method for isolation and transplantation of intact mitochondria to a lymphoid organ (a primary lymphoid tissue or a secondary lymphoid tissue), a composition of cells prepared by using a method described herein, and a method for manufacturing cells described herein. In particular, provided herein are methods of isolating intact mitochondria from a donor cell. Also provided herein are methods of transplanting mitochondria into a recipient cell. In some aspects, the methods can be performed in vivo. Further provided are a composition of cells that include the cells prepared using the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: Provided are: a flow channel structure with which lipid particles or micelles, which are useful as nano-sized carriers, for example, in drug delivery systems, are produced with good control of particle size; and a method for forming lipid particles or micelles using the same. Said flow channel structure has a two-dimensional structure such as one in which multiple structural elements (baffles) of a specified width are alternately disposed from the two side faces in a micro-sized flow channel through which feedstock solutions are flowed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mitochondria-targeted lipid membrane structure encapsulating a nucleic acid represented by any of the following a) to d): a) an RNA comprising, in this order, a nucleotide sequence of a first mitochondrial tRNA, a nucleotide sequence of an mRNA encoding a target protein, and a nucleotide sequence of a second mitochondrial tRNA, wherein the nucleotide sequence of the mRNA has one or more UGAs as a tryptophan codon; b) a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence of a promoter and a nucleotide sequence complementary to the RNA of a); c) an RNA comprising a nucleotide sequence of an mRNA encoding a target protein, and a nucleotide sequence of a poly(A) chain present at the 3? end side thereof, wherein the nucleotide sequence of the mRNA has one or more UGAs as a tryptophan codon, AUG as a start codon, and UAA as a stop codon; and d) a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence of a promoter and a nucleotide sequence complementary to the RNA of c).

Abstract: A lipid membrane structure includes, as lipid components, a lipid compound represented by Formula (I): (R1)(R2)C(OH)—(CH3)a—(O—CO)b—X??(I) [in the formula, a represents an integer of 3 to 5; b represents an integer of 0 or 1; R1 and R2 each independently represents a linear hydrocarbon group that may have —CO—O—; and X represents a 5- to 7-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic group or a group represented by Formula (B) (in the formula, d represents an integer of 0 to 3, and R3 and R4 each independently represents a C1-4 alkyl group or a C2-4 alkenyl group, where, R3 and R4 may be bonded to each other to form a 5- to 7-membered non-aromatic heterocycle (where, one or two C1-4 alkyl groups or C2-4 alkenyl groups may be substituted on the ring)].

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel myocardial stem cell for transplantation which enables maintenance of a therapeutic effect on and/or preventive effect against cardiac failure for a prolonged period, a method for producing the myocardial stem cell, and a cell preparation containing the myocardial stem cell. [Solution] The present invention relates to a method for producing a myocardial stem cell to be used for treatment and/or prevention of cardiac failure, the method comprising the step of introducing a complex of a mitochondria-targeting carrier and a mitochondria activating agent into a myocardial stem cell; a cell produced by the method and a cell preparation containing the cell; and a liposome to be used for producing the cell. According to the present invention, there can be provided a myocardial stem cell which is capable of maintaining a therapeutic effect and/or preventive effect by cell transplantation for a prolonged period.

Abstract: Hyaluronic acid modified with sphingosine-1-phosphate, and a medicine comprising the hyaluronic acid as an active ingredient, wherein the medicine can alleviate hepatic disorder caused by hypoxia/reoxygenation by protecting the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and the medicine can prevent and/or treat liver failure due to liver transplantation, hepatectomy, or other surgeries associated with liver ischemia/reperfusion.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a cationic lipid that can be used as a nucleic acid delivery carrier, a lipid membrane structure using a cationic lipid, a nucleic acid-introducing agent using a cationic lipid, and a method of achieving nucleic acid introduction by using a nucleic acid-introducing agent containing a cationic lipid. A lipid membrane structure containing a cationic lipid represented by the formula (1) wherein each symbol is as defined in the DESCRIPTION, is superior in the stability in blood and tumor accumulation property. A nucleic acid-introducing agent using the cationic lipid can achieve high nucleic acid delivery efficiency of nucleic acid to be delivered into the cytoplasm.

Abstract: The present invention provides an O/W type emulsion having a volume median diameter of not more than 100 nm and containing a compound represented by the formula (1) wherein Xa and Xb are each independently X1, X2 or a 1,4-piperazinediyl group; s is 1 or 2, R4 is an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, na and nb are each independently 0 or 1, R1a, R1b, R2a and R2b are each independently an alkylene group having 1-6 carbon atoms, Ya and Yb are each independently an ester bond, or the like, and R3a and R3b are each independently a liposoluble vitamin residue or the like.

Abstract: A lipid membrane structure encapsulating an siRNA inside thereof and containing a lipid compound of the formula (I) as a lipid component (R1 and R2 represent CH3—(CH2)n—CH?CH—CH2—CH?CH—(CH2)m—, n represents an integer of 3 to 5, m represents an integer of 6 to 10, p represents an integer of 2 to 7, and R3 and R4 represent a C1-4 alkyl group or a C2-4 alkenyl group.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a novel expression vector capable of effectively expressing a target protein in mitochondria and suppressing undesirable expression of the target protein in cell organelles other than mitochondria. [Solution] The present invention provides a recombinant expression vector for expressing a target protein in mitochondria of animal cells, and a lipid membrane structure having the vector encapsulated therein, wherein the recombinant expression vector has a promoter sequence exhibiting a transcription activity in the nuclei of animal cells, and has, under the control of the promoter sequence, a coding region which codes a target protein and includes one or more TGAs as codons corresponding to tryptophan. The recombinant expression vector according to the present invention can more efficiently and selectively express a target protein in mitochondria, and can be used as a more safe and effective drug for treating mitochondrial diseases.