Imperfectly Regrowing a Frog Limb Using Growth Factors to Change Cell Behavior

Researchers here report on a promising advance in making a non-regenerative species more regenerative. In recent years, research has focused on differences in the behavior of macrophages and injury-induced senescent cells in those species capable of regeneration of organs. It is presently thought likely that the capability for regeneration of organs exists in all higher animals, but it is in some way suppressed after embryonic development. Thus suitable coercion of cell behavior may unlock this ability. In this case, applying a combination of growth factors and other compounds for a short period of time sufficiently changed cell behavior to induce limb regrowth in a frog species not normally capable of this feat. The result was not a fully formed limb, but there was more than enough regrowth of structure to suggest that this approach is worthy of further development. Limb regeneration is a frontier in biomedical science. Identifying triggers of innate morphogenetic responses in vivo to induce the growth of healthy patterned tissue would address the needs of millions of patients, from diabetics to victims of trauma. Organisms such as the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) - whose limited regenerative capacities in adulthood mirror those of humans - are important models with which to test interventions that can restore form and function. Here, we demonstrate long-term (18 months) regrowth, marked tissue repatterning, and functional restoration of an amputated ...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs