<Seminar Report> Leading Expert Research Professor Tomoki Maekawa Explains the Latest Research on "DEL-1", a Promising New Breakthrough Method in Regenerative Medicine

Dr. Tomoki Maekawa The Wellness General Research Institute recently held a seminar on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, targeting media professionals. We invited Dr. Tomoki Maekawa, a Research Professor at Niigata University and a leading expert in "DEL-1" research, to deepen understanding of "DEL-1" (Del-one), which is gaining global attention in the fields of anti-aging and regenerative medicine. Dr. Maekawa explained the role of the highly anticipated component "DEL-1" in the body, the history of the research, and the latest paper published in January of this year, which leads to bone rejuvenation and fundamental treatment for osteoporosis. Furthermore, he explained that DEL-1 can help solve familiar health issues such as skin problems and periodontal disease, as well as improve the kidneys, known as the "incurable organ." He also discussed what can be done in daily life (such as walking and taking Omega-3) to increase DEL-1. Dr. Tomoki Maekawa (Research Professor, Center for Advanced Oral Science Education and Research, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University) Dr. Tomoki Maekawa He assumed his current position after serving as an Assistant Professor and Research Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University. He also served as a Postdoctoral Researcher and Research Associate at the University of Pennsylvania, USA, where he currently holds a concurrent position as an Adjunct Research Professor. His expertise focuses on inflammation control and tissue regeneration research, centered on immunology and periodontology. Specifically, he focuses on the anti-inflammatory molecule "DEL-1" and is engaged in research on inflammation control mechanisms, bone regeneration, and oral tissue repair and regeneration. ■ What is DEL-1? DEL-1 is a protein produced in the body called the "youth protein." In recent years, it has been discovered to have the function of removing senescent cells and maintaining the body in a healthy state, attracting worldwide attention. (Functions of DEL-1) 1) DEL-1 causes senescent cells to commit suicide (apoptosis). 2) DEL-1 directs immune cells toward the apoptotic senescent cells. 3) Immune cells remove the dead senescent cells. What is DEL-1? ■ The History of DEL-1 Research DEL-1 was discovered in 2009, and Dr. Maekawa began researching DEL-1 in 2014. In 2015, he discovered the relationship between DEL-1 and bone destruction. Noting that old mice prone to fragile bones had low levels of DEL-1, he found the possibility that DEL-1 is the "key to suppressing aging." He discovered that this also applies to humans, and has since been investigating and researching the correlation between DEL-1 and aging, as well as its relationship with various diseases associated with aging. DEL-1 decreases with age in humans as well. ■ "DEL-1": Gaining Attention in Regenerative Medicine Because DEL-1 has the function of maintaining the body in a healthy state, ensuring an adequate amount in the body is also expected to act as "regenerative medicine" to return the body to a healthy state. Conventional regenerative medicine primarily involved culturing iPS cells outside the body and transplanting them, but this approach faced challenges such as side effect risks, high costs, and low efficacy in the elderly. In contrast, the approach utilizing DEL-1 involves increasing DEL-1 within the body to remove senescent cells and promote tissue repair and functional recovery, thereby returning the body to a healthy state. This method is gaining attention as a more realistic and widely applicable form of regenerative medicine because it can apply existing drugs and allows for the mass production of DEL-1. DEL-1 and regenerative medicine. DEL-1 is an innovative new method for regenerative medicine. ■ The Possibility of Osteoporosis Becoming a "Curable Disease" What garnered particular attention in this lecture was the explanation of a paper published in January of this year that leads to a fundamental treatment for osteoporosis. Current osteoporosis treatments face challenges such as "suppressing bone destruction but not building bone" and "having significant side effects." To solve these issues, a method to safely remove senescent cells, the cause of osteoporosis, was sought. Therefore, comparing mice with high DEL-1 and those with low DEL-1 revealed that DEL-1 safely removed "only" the senescent cells. As a result, mice with high DEL-1 levels had higher bone density. This suggests the possibility of fundamentally curing osteoporosis by increasing DEL-1. A future where we can fundamentally treat osteoporosis and rejuvenate bones is just around the corner, and DEL-1 holds the key. Challenges in osteoporosis treatment. DEL-1 safely removes senescent cells. Bone density is maintained by DEL-1. The future of osteoporosis treatment with DEL-1. ■ DEL-1 Plays an Important Role in Solving Various Health Issues Such as Skin Problems and Kidney Diseases The potential of DEL-1 is not limited to bones. Research has revealed that DEL-1 plays an important role in solving various age-related diseases and health issues. ・Periodontal disease By preventing bone destruction and regenerating bone through DEL-1,