Cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern tissue regeneration

Humans have a relatively limited tissue regeneration repertoire. Many tissues/organs, when they become damaged, remain functionally hindered physiologically for the remainder of that person’s life. The consequence of this is amplified when organs like the heart become damaged and the functional hindrance can lead to death. The red-spotted newt on the other hand can functionally regenerate multiple tissues/organs without scarring following damage i.e. limbs, heart, brain, lens, retina, spinal cord. This amazing process is even more extraordinary due to the fact that these vertebrate newts can achieve these regenerative feats as an adult organism. However, to date, the mechanisms that lie behind how these amphibians can regenerate so efficiently are poorly characterized. Despite the obvious phenotypical differences, this amphibian model organism shares many of the common cellular and molecular traits found in mammals. Therefore, we use the newt as a model organism to help “bridge the gap” between basic research carried out in the newts and therapeutic strategies for human ailments once thought untreatable (Figure 1).

 

Figure: Translation research into regeneration

 

Keywords

Regeneration, microRNA, RNA editing, Urodele amphibians

Selected publications

Witman, N., Murtuza, B., Davis, B., Arner, A., & Morrison, J.I. (2011). Recapitulation of developmental cardiogenesis governs the morphological and functional regeneration of adult newt hearts following injury. Dev Biol. 354(1):67-76

Morrion, J.I., Borg, P. & Simon, A. (2010). Plasticity and recovery of skeletal muscle satellite cells during limb regeneration. The FASEB Journal. 24(3):750-56