In R&D Item 2, we develop technologies to evaluate our mental states through exosomes in our body fluid. Information of mental states will be provided to JIZAI Translator system, and used to optimize the quality of communication aids.

Our body fluid (like saliva and blood) contains small particles, exosomes, produced in cells of various organs. One of their functions is to manage metabolic waste. But they also have another interesting role — intercellular communication. Increasing attention has been paid to this function of exosomes, as they might work as biomarkers of bodily and neurodegenerative diseases.

It is pointed out that the uptake of exosomes into the brain is connected to (changes in) the state of the brain. However, little is known about the relationship between one’s exosomes and mental state.
Our R&D Item 2 aims to unravel the interactions of the brain and other organs mediated by exosomes through bio-chemical examinations and AI-based data analysis.

1. Social stress alters the amount and composition of proteins in exosomes
2. Discovered differences in exosome composition between children with ASD and typically developing children
3. Established a new measurement and analysis system for assessing behavioral traits in mice and discovered sex differences in the pathology of a neurodevelopmental disorder model

Outcome 1: We examined exosomes from mice that had developed depressive-like states following social stress and found that both the levels and composition of their protein contents were markedly altered.

Outcome 2: We analyzed the protein composition of exosomes from children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing children, and identified differences between the two groups. We further found that AI-based analysis enables highly accurate classification of ASD.

Outcome 3: We established a system for recording the positions of group-housed mice while individually identifying them, and for analyzing their behavioral traits. Using this system, we demonstrated reduced sociality and sex differences in pathological phenotypes in a neurodevelopmental disorder model.