1
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Kim RT, Whited JL. Putative epithelial-mesenchymal transitions during salamander limb regeneration: Current perspectives and future investigations. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2024. [PMID: 39269330 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies have implicated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in salamander limb regeneration. In this review, we describe putative roles for EMT during each stage of limb regeneration in axolotls and other salamanders. We hypothesize that EMT and EMT-like gene expression programs may regulate three main cellular processes during limb regeneration: (1) keratinocyte migration during wound closure; (2) transient invasion of the stump by epithelial cells undergoing EMT; and (3) use of EMT-like programs by non-epithelial blastemal progenitor cells to escape the confines of their niches. Finally, we propose nontraditional roles for EMT during limb regeneration that warrant further investigation, including alternative EMT regulators, stem cell activation, and fibrosis induced by aberrant EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan T Kim
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jessica L Whited
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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2
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Zhang Q, Lu B. The mRNA and microRNA Landscape of the Blastema Niche in Regenerating Newt Limbs. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9225. [PMID: 39273174 PMCID: PMC11395517 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 08/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Newts are excellent vertebrate models for investigating tissue regeneration due to their remarkable regenerative capabilities. To investigate the mRNA and microRNAs (miRNAs) profiles within the blastema niche of regenerating newt limbs, we amputated the limbs of Chinese fire belly newts (Cynops orientalis) and conducted comprehensive analyses of the transcriptome and microRNA profiles at five distinct time points post-amputation (0 hours, 1 day, 5 days 10 days and 20 days). We identified 24 significantly differentially expressed (DE) genes and 20 significantly DE miRNAs. Utilizing weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, we identified four genes likely to playing crucial roles in the early stages of limb regeneration: Cemip, Rhou, Gpd2 and Pcna. Moreover, mRNA-miRNA integration analysis uncovered seven human miRNAs (miR-19b-1, miR-19b-2, miR-21-5p, miR-127-5p, miR-150-5p, miR-194-5p, and miR-210-5p) may regulate the expression of these four key genes. The temporal expression patterns of these key genes and miRNAs further validated the robustness of the identified mRNA-miRNA landscape. Our study successfully identified candidate key genes and elucidated a portion of the genetic regulatory mechanisms involved in newt limb regeneration. These findings offer valuable insights for further exploration of the intricate processes of tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bin Lu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
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3
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Castillo-Casas JM, Caño-Carrillo S, Sánchez-Fernández C, Franco D, Lozano-Velasco E. Comparative Analysis of Heart Regeneration: Searching for the Key to Heal the Heart-Part I: Experimental Injury Models to Study Cardiac Regeneration. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:325. [PMID: 37623338 PMCID: PMC10455172 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10080325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, among which, ischemic heart disease is the most prevalent. Myocardial infarction results from occlusion of a coronary artery, which leads to an insufficient blood supply to the myocardium. As is well known, the massive loss of cardiomyocytes cannot be solved due the limited regenerative ability of the adult mammalian heart. In contrast, some lower vertebrate species can regenerate the heart after injury; their study has disclosed some of the involved cell types, molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways during the regenerative process. In this two-part review, we discuss the current state of the principal response in heart regeneration, where several involved processes are essential for full cardiac function in recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Manuel Castillo-Casas
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (J.M.C.-C.); (S.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (D.F.)
| | - Sheila Caño-Carrillo
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (J.M.C.-C.); (S.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (D.F.)
| | - Cristina Sánchez-Fernández
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (J.M.C.-C.); (S.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (D.F.)
- Medina Foundation, 18007 Granada, Spain
| | - Diego Franco
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (J.M.C.-C.); (S.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (D.F.)
- Medina Foundation, 18007 Granada, Spain
| | - Estefanía Lozano-Velasco
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (J.M.C.-C.); (S.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (D.F.)
- Medina Foundation, 18007 Granada, Spain
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4
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Tanaka EM. Now that We Got There, What Next? Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2562:471-479. [PMID: 36272095 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2659-7_31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
As seen in the protocols in this book, the opportunities to pursue work at the cellular and molecular work in salamanders have considerably broadened over the last years. The availability of genomic information and genome editing, and the possibility to image tissues live and other methods enhance the spectrum of biological questions accessible to all researchers. Here I provide a personal perspective on what I consider exciting future questions open for investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elly M Tanaka
- Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.
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5
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Medina L, Guzmán F, Álvarez C, Delgado JP, Carbonell-M B. Ramosin: The First Antibacterial Peptide Identified on Bolitoglossa ramosi Colombian Salamander. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122579. [PMID: 36559073 PMCID: PMC9782819 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery and improvements of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have become an alternative to conventional antibiotics. They are usually small and heat-stable peptides, exhibiting inhibitory activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In this way, studies on broad-spectrum AMPs found in amphibians with the remarkable capability to regenerate a wide array of tissues are of particular interest in the search for new strategies to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. In this work, the use of bioinformatic approaches such as sequence alignment with Fasta36 and prediction of antimicrobial activity allowed the identification of the Ramosin peptide from the de novo assembled transcriptome of the plethodontid salamander Bolitoglossa ramosi obtained from post-amputation of the upper limb tissue, heart, and intestine samples. BLAST analysis revealed that the Ramosin peptide sequence is unique in Bolitoglossa ramosi. The peptide was chemically synthesized, and physicochemical properties were characterized. Furthermore, the in vitro antimicrobial activity against relevant Gram-positive and Gram-negative human pathogenic bacteria was demonstrated. Finally, no effect against eukaryotic cells or human red blood cells was evidenced. This is the first antibacterial peptide identified from a Colombian endemic salamander with interesting antimicrobial properties and no hemolytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Medina
- Grupo Genética, Regeneración y Cáncer, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
- Correspondence:
| | - Fanny Guzmán
- Núcleo de Biotecnología Curauma (NBC), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2373223, Chile
| | - Claudio Álvarez
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Genética Marina (FIGEMA), Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Coquimbo 1781421, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo 1781421, Chile
| | - Jean Paul Delgado
- Grupo Genética, Regeneración y Cáncer, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Belfran Carbonell-M
- Grupo Genética, Regeneración y Cáncer, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
- Departamento de Estudios Básicos Integrados, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
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6
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Carbonell-M B, Zapata Cardona J, Delgado JP. Post-amputation reactive oxygen species production is necessary for axolotls limb regeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:921520. [PMID: 36092695 PMCID: PMC9458980 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.921520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) represent molecules of great interest in the field of regenerative biology since several animal models require their production to promote and favor tissue, organ, and appendage regeneration. Recently, it has been shown that the production of ROS such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is required for tail regeneration in Ambystoma mexicanum. However, to date, it is unknown whether ROS production is necessary for limb regeneration in this animal model. Methods: forelimbs of juvenile animals were amputated proximally and the dynamics of ROS production was determined using 2′7- dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) during the regeneration process. Inhibition of ROS production was performed using the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin. Subsequently, a rescue assay was performed using exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The effect of these treatments on the size and skeletal structures of the regenerated limb was evaluated by staining with alcian blue and alizarin red, as well as the effect on blastema formation, cell proliferation, immune cell recruitment, and expression of genes related to proximal-distal identity. Results: our results show that inhibition of post-amputation limb ROS production in the A. mexicanum salamander model results in the regeneration of a miniature limb with a significant reduction in the size of skeletal elements such as the ulna, radius, and overall autopod. Additionally, other effects such as decrease in the number of carpals, defective joint morphology, and failure of integrity between the regenerated structure and the remaining tissue were identified. In addition, this treatment affected blastema formation and induced a reduction in the levels of cell proliferation in this structure, as well as a reduction in the number of CD45+ and CD11b + immune system cells. On the other hand, blocking ROS production affected the expression of proximo-distal identity genes such as Aldha1a1, Rarβ, Prod1, Meis1, Hoxa13, and other genes such as Agr2 and Yap1 in early/mid blastema. Of great interest, the failure in blastema formation, skeletal alterations, as well as the expression of the genes evaluated were rescued by the application of exogenous H2O2, suggesting that ROS/H2O2 production is necessary from the early stages for proper regeneration and patterning of the limb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belfran Carbonell-M
- Grupo de Genética, Regeneración y Cáncer, Universidad de Antioquia, Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Medellín, Colombia
- Departamento de Estudios Básicos Integrados, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- *Correspondence: Belfran Carbonell-M, ; Jean Paul Delgado,
| | - Juliana Zapata Cardona
- Grupo de Investigación en Patobiología Quiron, Escuela de MedicinaVeterinaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Jean Paul Delgado
- Grupo de Genética, Regeneración y Cáncer, Universidad de Antioquia, Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Medellín, Colombia
- *Correspondence: Belfran Carbonell-M, ; Jean Paul Delgado,
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7
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Identification of microRNAs related with neural germ layer lineage-specific progenitors during reprogramming. J Mol Histol 2022; 53:623-634. [DOI: 10.1007/s10735-022-10082-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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8
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Su F, Yang H, Sun L. A Review of Histocytological Events and Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Intestine Regeneration in Holothurians. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:1095. [PMID: 35892951 PMCID: PMC9332576 DOI: 10.3390/biology11081095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Most species of the class Holothuroidea are able to regenerate most of their internal organs following a typical evisceration process, which is a unique mechanism that allows sea cucumbers to survive in adverse environments. In this review, we compare autotomy among different type of sea cucumber and summarize the histocytological events that occur during the five stages of intestinal regeneration. Multiple cytological activities, such as apoptosis and dedifferentiation, take place during wound healing and anlage formation. Many studies have focused on the molecular regulation mechanisms that underlie regeneration, and herein we describe the techniques that have been used as well as the development-related signaling pathways and key genes that are significantly expressed during intestinal regeneration. Future analyses of the underlying mechanisms responsible for intestinal regeneration should include mapping at the single-cell level. Studies of visceral regeneration in echinoderms provide a unique perspective for understanding whole-body regeneration or appendage regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Su
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (F.S.); (H.Y.)
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Hongsheng Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (F.S.); (H.Y.)
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Qingdao 266071, China
- The Innovation of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Lina Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (F.S.); (H.Y.)
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Qingdao 266071, China
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9
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Hincapie Agudelo M, Carbonell Medina BA, Arenas Gómez CM, Delgado JP. Ambystoma mexicanum, a model organism in developmental biology and regeneration: a colombian experience. ACTA BIOLÓGICA COLOMBIANA 2021. [DOI: 10.15446/abc.v27n1.88309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ambystoma mexicanum is a urodele amphibian endemic to Xochimilco Lake in Mexico, it belongs to the salamander family Ambystomatidae. This species has frequently been used as model organism in developmental biology and regeneration laboratories around the world due to its broad regenerative capacities and adaptability to laboratory conditions. In this review we describe the establishment of the first colony of axolotls in Colombia to study tissue regeneration and our perspectives on the use A. mexicanum as a model organism in Colombia are discussed emphasizing its possible uses in regeneration and developmental biology
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10
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Carbonell M B, Zapata Cardona J, Delgado JP. Hydrogen peroxide is necessary during tail regeneration in juvenile axolotl. Dev Dyn 2021; 251:1054-1076. [PMID: 34129260 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) is a key reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during appendage regeneration among vertebrates. However, its role during tail regeneration in axolotl as redox signaling molecule is unclear. RESULTS Treatment with exogenous H2 O2 rescues inhibitory effects of apocynin-induced growth suppression in tail blastema cells leading to cell proliferation. H2 O2 also promotes recruitment of immune cells, regulate the activation of AKT kinase and Agr2 expression during blastema formation. Additionally, ROS/H2 O2 regulates the expression and transcriptional activity of Yap1 and its target genes Ctgf and Areg. CONCLUSIONS These results show that H2 O2 is necessary and sufficient to promote tail regeneration in axolotls. Additionally, Akt signaling and Agr2 were identified as ROS targets, suggesting that ROS/H2 O2 is likely to regulate epimorphic regeneration through these signaling pathways. In addition, ROS/H2 O2 -dependent-Yap1 activity is required during tail regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belfran Carbonell M
- Grupo de Genética, Regeneración y Cáncer, Universidad de Antioquia, Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juliana Zapata Cardona
- Grupo de Investigación en Patobiología Quirón, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Jean Paul Delgado
- Grupo de Genética, Regeneración y Cáncer, Universidad de Antioquia, Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Medellín, Colombia
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11
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Donatelli CM, Lutek K, Gupta K, Standen EM. Body and Tail Coordination in the Bluespot Salamander ( Ambystoma laterale) During Limb Regeneration. Front Robot AI 2021; 8:629713. [PMID: 34124171 PMCID: PMC8193843 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2021.629713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals are incredibly good at adapting to changes in their environment, a trait envied by most roboticists. Many animals use different gaits to seamlessly transition between land and water and move through non-uniform terrains. In addition to adjusting to changes in their environment, animals can adjust their locomotion to deal with missing or regenerating limbs. Salamanders are an amphibious group of animals that can regenerate limbs, tails, and even parts of the spinal cord in some species. After the loss of a limb, the salamander successfully adjusts to constantly changing morphology as it regenerates the missing part. This quality is of particular interest to roboticists looking to design devices that can adapt to missing or malfunctioning components. While walking, an intact salamander uses its limbs, body, and tail to propel itself along the ground. Its body and tail are coordinated in a distinctive wave-like pattern. Understanding how their bending kinematics change as they regrow lost limbs would provide important information to roboticists designing amphibious machines meant to navigate through unpredictable and diverse terrain. We amputated both hindlimbs of blue-spotted salamanders (Ambystoma laterale) and measured their body and tail kinematics as the limbs regenerated. We quantified the change in the body wave over time and compared them to an amphibious fish species, Polypterus senegalus. We found that salamanders in the early stages of regeneration shift their kinematics, mostly around their pectoral girdle, where there is a local increase in undulation frequency. Amputated salamanders also show a reduced range of preferred walking speeds and an increase in the number of bending waves along the body. This work could assist roboticists working on terrestrial locomotion and water to land transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Keegan Lutek
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Keshav Gupta
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Emily M Standen
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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12
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Arenas Gómez CM, Echeverri K. Salamanders: The molecular basis of tissue regeneration and its relevance to human disease. Curr Top Dev Biol 2021; 145:235-275. [PMID: 34074531 PMCID: PMC8186737 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2020.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Salamanders are recognized for their ability to regenerate a broad range of tissues. They have also have been used for hundreds of years for classical developmental biology studies because of their large accessible embryos. The range of tissues these animals can regenerate is fascinating, from full limbs to parts of the brain or heart, a potential that is missing in humans. Many promising research efforts are working to decipher the molecular blueprints shared across the organisms that naturally have the capacity to regenerate different tissues and organs. Salamanders are an excellent example of a vertebrate that can functionally regenerate a wide range of tissue types. In this review, we outline some of the significant insights that have been made that are aiding in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tissue regeneration in salamanders and discuss why salamanders are a worthy model in which to study regenerative biology and how this may benefit research fields like regenerative medicine to develop therapies for humans in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Marcela Arenas Gómez
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, University of Chicago, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Karen Echeverri
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, University of Chicago, Woods Hole, MA, United States.
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13
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Dwaraka VB, Voss SR. Towards comparative analyses of salamander limb regeneration. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART B, MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2021; 336:129-144. [PMID: 31584252 PMCID: PMC8908358 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Among tetrapods, only salamanders can regenerate their limbs and tails throughout life. This amazing regenerative ability has attracted the attention of scientists for hundreds of years. Now that large, salamander genomes are beginning to be sequenced for the first time, omics tools and approaches can be used to integrate new perspectives into the study of tissue regeneration. Here we argue the need to move beyond the primary salamander models to investigate regeneration in other species. Salamanders at first glance come across as a phylogenetically conservative group that has not diverged greatly from their ancestors. While salamanders do present ancestral characteristics of basal tetrapods, including the ability to regenerate limbs, data from fossils and data from studies that have tested for species differences suggest there may be considerable variation in how salamanders develop and regenerate their limbs. We review the case for expanded studies of salamander tissue regeneration and identify questions and approaches that are most likely to reveal commonalities and differences in regeneration among species. We also address challenges that confront such an initiative, some of which are regulatory and not scientific. The time is right to gain evolutionary perspective about mechanisms of tissue regeneration from comparative studies of salamander species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun B. Dwaraka
- Department of Neuroscience, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, and Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - S. Randal Voss
- Department of Neuroscience, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, and Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
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14
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Grigoryan EN. Study of Natural Longlife Juvenility and Tissue Regeneration in Caudate Amphibians and Potential Application of Resulting Data in Biomedicine. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:2. [PMID: 33477527 PMCID: PMC7838874 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The review considers the molecular, cellular, organismal, and ontogenetic properties of Urodela that exhibit the highest regenerative abilities among tetrapods. The genome specifics and the expression of genes associated with cell plasticity are analyzed. The simplification of tissue structure is shown using the examples of the sensory retina and brain in mature Urodela. Cells of these and some other tissues are ready to initiate proliferation and manifest the plasticity of their phenotype as well as the correct integration into the pre-existing or de novo forming tissue structure. Without excluding other factors that determine regeneration, the pedomorphosis and juvenile properties, identified on different levels of Urodele amphibians, are assumed to be the main explanation for their high regenerative abilities. These properties, being fundamental for tissue regeneration, have been lost by amniotes. Experiments aimed at mammalian cell rejuvenation currently use various approaches. They include, in particular, methods that use secretomes from regenerating tissues of caudate amphibians and fish for inducing regenerative responses of cells. Such an approach, along with those developed on the basis of knowledge about the molecular and genetic nature and age dependence of regeneration, may become one more step in the development of regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora N Grigoryan
- Kol'tsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
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15
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Sessions SK, Wake DB. Forever young: Linking regeneration and genome size in salamanders. Dev Dyn 2020; 250:768-778. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - David B. Wake
- Department of Integrative Biology and Museum of Vertebrate Zoology University of California Berkeley California USA
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16
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Vieira WA, Anderson K, Glass Campbell L, McCusker CD. Characterizing the regenerative capacity and growth patterns of the Texas blind salamander (Eurycea rathbuni). Dev Dyn 2020; 250:880-895. [PMID: 32885536 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regeneration of complex patterned structures is well described among, although limited to a small sampling of, amphibians. This limitation impedes our understanding of the full range of regenerative competencies within this class of vertebrates, according to phylogeny, developmental life stage, and age. To broaden the phylogenetic breath of this research, we characterized the regenerative capacity of the Texas blind salamander (Eurycea rathbuni), a protected salamander native to the Edwards Aquifer of San Marcos, Texas and colonized by the San Marcos Aquatic Resource Center. As field observations suggested regenerative abilities in this population, the forelimb stump of a live captured female was amputated in the hopes of restoring the structure, and thus locomotion in the animal. Tails were clipped from two males to additionally document tail regeneration. RESULTS We show that the Texas blind salamander exhibits robust limb and tail regeneration, like all other studied Plethodontidae. Regeneration in this species is associated with wound epithelium formation, blastema formation, and subsequent patterning and differentiation of the regenerate. CONCLUSIONS The study has shown that the Texas blind salamander is a valuable model to study regenerative processes, and that therapeutic surgeries offer a valuable means to help maintain and conserve this vulnerable species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren A Vieira
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kelsey Anderson
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service, San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Lindsay Glass Campbell
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service, San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center, San Marcos, Texas, USA
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17
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Abstract
Heart failure is a major cause of death worldwide owing to the inability of the adult human heart to regenerate after a heart attack. However, many vertebrate species are capable of complete cardiac regeneration following injury. In this Review, we discuss the various model organisms of cardiac regeneration, and outline what they have taught us thus far about the cellular and molecular responses essential for optimal cardiac repair. We compare across different species, highlighting evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of regeneration and demonstrating the importance of developmental gene expression programmes, plasticity of the heart and the pathophysiological environment for the regenerative response. Additionally, we discuss how the findings from these studies have led to improvements in cardiac repair in preclinical models such as adult mice and pigs, and discuss the potential to translate these findings into therapeutic approaches for human patients following myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor L Price
- Burdon Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Joaquim M Vieira
- Burdon Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Paul R Riley
- Burdon Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
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18
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Mehta AS, Singh A. Insights into regeneration tool box: An animal model approach. Dev Biol 2019; 453:111-129. [PMID: 30986388 PMCID: PMC6684456 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
For ages, regeneration has intrigued countless biologists, clinicians, and biomedical engineers. In recent years, significant progress made in identification and characterization of a regeneration tool kit has helped the scientific community to understand the mechanism(s) involved in regeneration across animal kingdom. These mechanistic insights revealed that evolutionarily conserved pathways like Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, BMP, and JAK/STAT are involved in regeneration. Furthermore, advancement in high throughput screening approaches like transcriptomic analysis followed by proteomic validations have discovered many novel genes, and regeneration specific enhancers that are specific to highly regenerative species like Hydra, Planaria, Newts, and Zebrafish. Since genetic machinery is highly conserved across the animal kingdom, it is possible to engineer these genes and regeneration specific enhancers in species with limited regeneration properties like Drosophila, and mammals. Since these models are highly versatile and genetically tractable, cross-species comparative studies can generate mechanistic insights in regeneration for animals with long gestation periods e.g. Newts. In addition, it will allow extrapolation of regenerative capabilities from highly regenerative species to animals with low regeneration potential, e.g. mammals. In future, these studies, along with advancement in tissue engineering applications, can have strong implications in the field of regenerative medicine and stem cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abijeet S Mehta
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, 45469, USA
| | - Amit Singh
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, 45469, USA; Premedical Program, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, 45469, USA; Center for Tissue Regeneration and Engineering at Dayton (TREND), University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, 45469, USA; The Integrative Science and Engineering Center, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, 45469, USA; Center for Genomic Advocacy (TCGA), Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, USA.
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19
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Joven A, Elewa A, Simon A. Model systems for regeneration: salamanders. Development 2019; 146:146/14/dev167700. [PMID: 31332037 DOI: 10.1242/dev.167700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Salamanders have been hailed as champions of regeneration, exhibiting a remarkable ability to regrow tissues, organs and even whole body parts, e.g. their limbs. As such, salamanders have provided key insights into the mechanisms by which cells, tissues and organs sense and regenerate missing or damaged parts. In this Primer, we cover the evolutionary context in which salamanders emerged. We outline the varieties of mechanisms deployed during salamander regeneration, and discuss how these mechanisms are currently being explored and how they have advanced our understanding of animal regeneration. We also present arguments about why it is important to study closely related species in regeneration research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Joven
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 17163 Stockolm, Sweden
| | - Ahmed Elewa
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 17163 Stockolm, Sweden
| | - András Simon
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 17163 Stockolm, Sweden
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20
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Alibardi L. Organ regeneration evolved in fish and amphibians in relation to metamorphosis: Speculations on a post-embryonic developmental process lost in amniotes after the water to land transition. Ann Anat 2019; 222:114-119. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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21
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Alibardi L. Perspective: Appendage regeneration in amphibians and some reptiles derived from specific evolutionary histories. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2018; 330:396-405. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Alibardi
- Comparative HistolabPadova Italy
- Department of BiologyUniversity of BolognaBologna Italy
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22
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Galindo C, Cruz E, Bernal M. Evaluation of the combined temperature and relative humidity preferences of the Colombian terrestrial salamander Bolitoglossa ramosi (Amphibia: Plethodontidae). CAN J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2017-0330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Temperature and humidity are critical factors for terrestrial lungless salamanders, as their body temperatures are largely determined by the environmental temperature and require moisture to sustain cutaneous respiration. Herein, we evaluated the preference of Bolitoglossa ramosi Brame and Wake, 1972 between a high temperature and a high relative humidity (RH), the influence of temperature on RH preferences, and the influence of RH on the thermal preferences. This study was performed in a field location in the municipality of Líbano, Tolima, Colombia. There, on different nights, we collected 84 adult B. ramosi and carried out the preference experiments, using aluminum troughs with different thermal and RH gradients. We found that between high temperature and high RH, B. ramosi preferred high RH. However, B. ramosi selected high temperatures when the gradient had a high RH and low temperatures when the gradient had a low RH. These results show that B. ramosi is able to thermoregulate and hydroregulate. Nevertheless, hydroregulation seems to be more important than thermoregulation because B. ramosi always selected the high RH gradients, while their thermal selection relied on the hydric environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- C.A. Galindo
- Grupo de Herpetología, Eco-Fisiología y Etología, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
- Grupo de Herpetología, Eco-Fisiología y Etología, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - E.X. Cruz
- Grupo de Herpetología, Eco-Fisiología y Etología, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
- Grupo de Herpetología, Eco-Fisiología y Etología, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - M.H. Bernal
- Grupo de Herpetología, Eco-Fisiología y Etología, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
- Grupo de Herpetología, Eco-Fisiología y Etología, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
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23
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Arenas Gómez CM, Woodcock RM, Smith JJ, Voss RS, Delgado JP. Using transcriptomics to enable a plethodontid salamander (Bolitoglossa ramosi) for limb regeneration research. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:704. [PMID: 30253734 PMCID: PMC6157048 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5076-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tissue regeneration is widely distributed across the tree of life. Among vertebrates, salamanders possess an exceptional ability to regenerate amputated limbs and other complex structures. Thus far, molecular insights about limb regeneration have come from a relatively limited number of species from two closely related salamander families. To gain a broader perspective on the molecular basis of limb regeneration and enhance the molecular toolkit of an emerging plethodontid salamander (Bolitoglossa ramosi), we used RNA-Seq to generate a de novo reference transcriptome and identify differentially expressed genes during limb regeneration. Results Using paired-end Illumina sequencing technology and Trinity assembly, a total of 433,809 transcripts were recovered and we obtained functional annotation for 142,926 non-redundant transcripts of the B. ramosi de novo reference transcriptome. Among the annotated transcripts, 602 genes were identified as differentially expressed during limb regeneration. This list was further processed to identify a core set of genes that exhibit conserved expression changes between B. ramosi and the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), and presumably their common ancestor from approximately 180 million years ago. Conclusions We identified genes from B. ramosi that are differentially expressed during limb regeneration, including multiple conserved protein-coding genes and possible putative species-specific genes. Comparative analyses reveal a subset of genes that show similar patterns of expression with ambystomatid species, which highlights the importance of developing comparative gene expression data for studies of limb regeneration among salamanders. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-5076-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia M Arenas Gómez
- Grupo de Genética, Regeneración y Cáncer, Universidad de Antioquia, Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Torre 2, laboratorio 432. Calle 62 No. 52 - 59, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Ryan M Woodcock
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA.,Keene State College, Keene, NH, USA
| | - Jeramiah J Smith
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - Randal S Voss
- Department of Neuroscience, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Jean Paul Delgado
- Grupo de Genética, Regeneración y Cáncer, Universidad de Antioquia, Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Torre 2, laboratorio 432. Calle 62 No. 52 - 59, Medellín, Colombia.
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24
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Dwaraka VB, Smith JJ, Woodcock MR, Voss SR. Comparative transcriptomics of limb regeneration: Identification of conserved expression changes among three species of Ambystoma. Genomics 2018; 111:1216-1225. [PMID: 30092345 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2018.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptome studies are revealing the complex gene expression basis of limb regeneration in the primary salamander model - Ambystoma mexicanum (axolotl). To better understand this complexity, there is need to extend analyses to additional salamander species. Using microarray and RNA-Seq, we performed a comparative transcriptomic study using A. mexicanum and two other ambystomatid salamanders: A. andersoni, and A. maculatum. Salamanders were administered forelimb amputations and RNA was isolated and analyzed to identify 405 non-redundant genes that were commonly, differentially expressed 24 h post amputation. Many of the upregulated genes are predicted to function in wound healing and developmental processes, while many of the downregulated genes are typically expressed in muscle. The conserved transcriptional changes identified in this study provide a high-confidence dataset for identifying factors that simultaneous orchestrate wound healing and regeneration processes in response to injury, and more generally for identifying genes that are essential for salamander limb regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun B Dwaraka
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, United States; Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States.
| | - Jeramiah J Smith
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, United States
| | - M Ryan Woodcock
- Department of Biology, Keene State College, Keene, NH 03431, United States
| | - S Randal Voss
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
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25
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Arenas Gómez CM, Gómez Molina A, Zapata JD, Delgado JP. Limb regeneration in a direct-developing terrestrial salamander, Bolitoglossa ramosi (Caudata: Plethodontidae): Limb regeneration in plethodontid salamanders. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 4:227-235. [PMID: 29299325 PMCID: PMC5743783 DOI: 10.1002/reg2.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Appendage regeneration is one of the most compelling phenomena in regenerative biology and is extensively studied in axolotls and newts. However, the regenerative capacity in other families of salamanders remains poorly described. Here we characterize the limb regeneration process in Bolitoglossa ramosi, a direct‐developing terrestrial salamander of the plethodontid family. We (1) describe the major morphological features at different stages of limb regeneration, (2) show that appendage regeneration in a terrestrial salamander varies from other amphibians and (3) show that limb regeneration in this species is considerably slower than in axolotls and newts (95 days post‐amputation for complete regeneration) despite having a significantly smaller genome size than axolotls or newts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Marcela Arenas Gómez
- Sede de Investigación Universitaria Torre 2, Laboratorio 432, Calle 62 No. 52-59 Medellín Colombia.,Grupo de Genética, Regeneración y Cáncer Universidad de Antioquia Medellin Colombia
| | - Andrea Gómez Molina
- Sede de Investigación Universitaria Torre 2, Laboratorio 432, Calle 62 No. 52-59 Medellín Colombia.,Grupo de Genética, Regeneración y Cáncer Universidad de Antioquia Medellin Colombia
| | - Juliana D Zapata
- Grupo de Investigación en Patobiología Quiró nUniversidad de Antioquia Ciudadela Robledo, Carrera 75 # 65-87, bloque 47, oficina 134 Medellín Colombia
| | - Jean Paul Delgado
- Sede de Investigación Universitaria Torre 2, Laboratorio 432, Calle 62 No. 52-59 Medellín Colombia.,Grupo de Genética, Regeneración y Cáncer Universidad de Antioquia Medellin Colombia
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