Tail and Spinal Cord Regeneration in Urodelean Amphibians

Life, 2024 · DOI: 10.3390/life14050594 · Published: May 7, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine

Simple Explanation

Urodelean amphibians, unlike mammals, can regenerate their tails and spinal cords throughout their lives. This ability stems from cells' capacity to dedifferentiate and re-enter the cell cycle. Successful regeneration depends on molecular regulation between tissues, especially the spinal cord and wound epidermis. These regulatory systems involve signaling pathways, inflammatory factors, ECM molecules, and more. These regulatory networks operate on feedback principles, utilizing mechanisms from embryogenesis to complete organ regeneration. Late stages of regeneration and external factors' effects remain understudied.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Axolotls and newts

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Tail and spinal cord regeneration in Urodela involves the restoration of the damaged spinal cord region and extension of the ependymal tube, leading to the formation of new neural cells.
2
The blastema, a mass of undifferentiated cells, is formed through dedifferentiation of damaged tissue cells or activation of resident progenitor cells.
3
Unlike mammals, salamanders do not form a glial scar after spinal cord injury, which allows for axon regeneration and functional recovery.

Research Summary

Urodelean amphibians possess remarkable regenerative abilities, particularly in their tails and spinal cords, a stark contrast to mammals. This regeneration hinges on the capacity of cells to dedifferentiate and actively participate in de novo organ formation. Critical to this process is the molecular interplay between tissues, prominently involving the spinal cord and the apical wound epidermis. This regulation encompasses a diverse array of molecular entities, including signaling pathways, inflammatory mediators, and ECM components. These regulatory networks operate through feedback mechanisms, mirroring embryonic development processes to orchestrate regeneration from initial injury to the complete morphogenesis and patterning of new structures. Understanding these mechanisms could have implications for regenerative medicine in humans.

Practical Implications

Understanding Mammalian SC Regeneration

The study provides insights into why mammals lack the capacity for spinal cord regeneration and offers potential avenues for stimulating regeneration in mammalian tissues.

Therapeutic Development

Identifying cellular and molecular factors contributing to spinal cord and tail regeneration in salamanders can aid in developing regenerative therapies for spinal cord injuries in humans.

Morphogenesis and Patterning

The research enhances the understanding of tissue and organ morphogenesis, both in developmental and regenerative contexts, potentially influencing approaches to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Study Limitations

1
The model of tail amputation with an SC fragment may not fully replicate natural spinal column injuries in humans.
2
Direct extrapolation of the findings to amniotes requires caution due to differences in cellular and molecular regenerative responses.
3
The effects of environmental factors on regenerating tail morphogenesis have not been extensively investigated.

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