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Stocum DL. Mechanisms of urodele limb regeneration. REGENERATION (OXFORD, ENGLAND) 2017; 4:159-200. [PMID: 29299322 PMCID: PMC5743758 DOI: 10.1002/reg2.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This review explores the historical and current state of our knowledge about urodele limb regeneration. Topics discussed are (1) blastema formation by the proteolytic histolysis of limb tissues to release resident stem cells and mononucleate cells that undergo dedifferentiation, cell cycle entry and accumulation under the apical epidermal cap. (2) The origin, phenotypic memory, and positional memory of blastema cells. (3) The role played by macrophages in the early events of regeneration. (4) The role of neural and AEC factors and interaction between blastema cells in mitosis and distalization. (5) Models of pattern formation based on the results of axial reversal experiments, experiments on the regeneration of half and double half limbs, and experiments using retinoic acid to alter positional identity of blastema cells. (6) Possible mechanisms of distalization during normal and intercalary regeneration. (7) Is pattern formation is a self-organizing property of the blastema or dictated by chemical signals from adjacent tissues? (8) What is the future for regenerating a human limb?
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Affiliation(s)
- David L. Stocum
- Department of BiologyIndiana University−Purdue University Indianapolis723 W. Michigan StIndianapolisIN 46202USA
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2
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Wagner I, Wang H, Weissert PM, Straube WL, Shevchenko A, Gentzel M, Brito G, Tazaki A, Oliveira C, Sugiura T, Shevchenko A, Simon A, Drechsel DN, Tanaka EM. Serum Proteases Potentiate BMP-Induced Cell Cycle Re-entry of Dedifferentiating Muscle Cells during Newt Limb Regeneration. Dev Cell 2017; 40:608-617.e6. [PMID: 28350991 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Limb amputation in the newt induces myofibers to dedifferentiate and re-enter the cell cycle to generate proliferative myogenic precursors in the regeneration blastema. Here we show that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and mature BMPs that have been further cleaved by serum proteases induce cell cycle entry by dedifferentiating newt muscle cells. Protease-activated BMP4/7 heterodimers that are present in serum strongly induced myotube cell cycle re-entry with protease cleavage yielding a 30-fold potency increase of BMP4/7 compared with canonical BMP4/7. Inhibition of BMP signaling via muscle-specific dominant-negative receptor expression reduced cell cycle entry in vitro and in vivo. In vivo inhibition of serine protease activity depressed cell cycle re-entry, which in turn was rescued by cleaved-mimic BMP. This work identifies a mechanism of BMP activation that generates blastema cells from differentiated muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Wagner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany; DFG Research Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Heng Wang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Centre of Developmental Biology for Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Berzelius väg 35, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philipp M Weissert
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany; DFG Research Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Werner L Straube
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna Shevchenko
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Gentzel
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Goncalo Brito
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Centre of Developmental Biology for Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Berzelius väg 35, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Akira Tazaki
- DFG Research Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Catarina Oliveira
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany; DFG Research Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Takuji Sugiura
- DFG Research Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Andrej Shevchenko
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - András Simon
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Centre of Developmental Biology for Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Berzelius väg 35, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - David N Drechsel
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Elly M Tanaka
- DFG Research Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
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3
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Wu CH, Huang TY, Chen BS, Chiou LL, Lee HS. Long-duration muscle dedifferentiation during limb regeneration in axolotls. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116068. [PMID: 25671422 PMCID: PMC4324932 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Although still debated, limb regeneration in salamanders is thought to depend on the dedifferentiation of remnant tissue occurring early after amputation and generating the progenitor cells that initiate regeneration. This dedifferentiation has been demonstrated previously by showing the fragmentation of muscle fibers into mononucleated cells and by revealing the contribution of mature muscle fibers to the regenerates by using lineage-tracing studies. Here, we provide additional evidence of dedifferentiation by showing that Pax7 (paired-box protein-7) transcripts are expressed at the ends of remnant muscle fibers in axolotls by using in situ hybridization and by demonstrating the presence of Pax7+ muscle-fiber nuclei in the early bud and mid-bud stages by means of immunohistochemical staining. During the course of regeneration, the remnant muscles did not progress; instead, muscle progenitors migrated out from the remnants and proliferated and differentiated in the new tissues at an early stage of differentiation. The regenerating muscles and remnant muscles were largely disconnected, and this left a gap between them until extremely late in the late stage of differentiation, at which point the new and old muscles connected together. Notably, Pax7 transcripts were detected in the regions of muscles that faced these gaps; thus, Pax7 expression might indicate dedifferentiation in the remnant-muscle ends and partial differentiation in the regenerating muscles. The roles of this long-duration dedifferentiation in the remnants remain unknown. However, the results presented here could support the hypothesis that long-duration muscle dedifferentiation facilitates the connection and fusion between the new and old muscles that are both in an immature state; this is because immature Pax7+ myoblasts readily fuse during developmental myogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Han Wu
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Yu Huang
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Sung Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Ling Chiou
- Liver Disease Prevention and Treatment Research Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Shu Lee
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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4
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Yun MH, Gates PB, Brockes JP. Sustained ERK activation underlies reprogramming in regeneration-competent salamander cells and distinguishes them from their mammalian counterparts. Stem Cell Reports 2014; 3:15-23. [PMID: 25068118 PMCID: PMC4110794 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2014.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In regeneration-competent vertebrates, such as salamanders, regeneration depends on the ability of various differentiated adult cell types to undergo natural reprogramming. This ability is rarely observed in regeneration-incompetent species such as mammals, providing an explanation for their poor regenerative potential. To date, little is known about the molecular mechanisms mediating natural reprogramming during regeneration. Here, we have identified the extent of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation as a key component of such mechanisms. We show that sustained ERK activation following serum induction is required for re-entry into the cell cycle of postmitotic salamander muscle cells, partially by promoting the downregulation of p53 activity. Moreover, ERK activation induces epigenetic modifications and downregulation of muscle-specific genes such as Sox6. Remarkably, while long-term ERK activation is found in salamander myotubes, only transient activation is seen in their mammalian counterparts, suggesting that the extent of ERK activation could underlie differences in regenerative competence between species. Sustained ERK activation is required for serum reprogramming of salamander cells Only transient ERK activation is observed in their mammalian counterparts Constant ERK activation promotes expression of S phase genes in mammalian myotubes The extent of ERK activation could underlie differences in regenerative competence
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximina H Yun
- Division of Biosciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Phillip B Gates
- Division of Biosciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Jeremy P Brockes
- Division of Biosciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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Abstract
Wnt signaling is activated by wounding and participates in every subsequent stage of the healing process from the control of inflammation and programmed cell death, to the mobilization of stem cell reservoirs within the wound site. In this review we summarize recent data elucidating the roles that the Wnt pathway plays in the injury repair process. These data provide a foundation for potential Wnt-based therapeutic strategies aimed at stimulating tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemima L Whyte
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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Meech R, Gomez M, Woolley C, Barro M, Hulin JA, Walcott EC, Delgado J, Makarenkova HP. The homeobox transcription factor Barx2 regulates plasticity of young primary myofibers. PLoS One 2010; 5:e11612. [PMID: 20657655 PMCID: PMC2904708 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2010] [Accepted: 06/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adult mammalian muscle retains incredible plasticity. Muscle growth and repair involves the activation of undifferentiated myogenic precursors called satellite cells. In some circumstances, it has been proposed that existing myofibers may also cleave and produce a pool of proliferative cells that can re-differentiate into new fibers. Such myofiber dedifferentiation has been observed in the salamander blastema where it may occur in parallel with satellite cell activation. Moreover, ectopic expression of the homeodomain transcription factor Msx1 in differentiated C2C12 myotubes has been shown to induce their dedifferentiation. While it remains unclear whether dedifferentiation and redifferentiaton occurs endogenously in mammalian muscle, there is considerable interest in induced dedifferentiation as a possible regenerative tool. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We previously showed that the homeobox protein Barx2 promotes myoblast differentiation. Here we report that ectopic expression of Barx2 in young immature myotubes derived from cell lines and primary mouse myoblasts, caused cleavage of the syncytium and downregulation of differentiation markers. Microinjection of Barx2 cDNA into immature myotubes derived from primary cells led to cleavage and formation of mononucleated cells that were able to proliferate. However, injection of Barx2 cDNA into mature myotubes did not cause cleavage. Barx2 expression in C2C12 myotubes increased the expression of cyclin D1, which may promote cell cycle re-entry. We also observed differential muscle gene regulation by Barx2 at early and late stages of muscle differentiation which may be due to differential recruitment of transcriptional activator or repressor complexes to muscle specific genes by Barx2. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We show that Barx2 regulates plasticity of immature myofibers and might act as a molecular switch controlling cell differentiation and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn Meech
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- The Flinders University of South Australia, Beford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mariana Gomez
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Christopher Woolley
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Marietta Barro
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Julie-Ann Hulin
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | | | - Jary Delgado
- The Neurosciences Institute, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Helen P. Makarenkova
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- The Neurosciences Institute, San Diego, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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7
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Monje PV, Soto J, Bacallao K, Wood PM. Schwann cell dedifferentiation is independent of mitogenic signaling and uncoupled to proliferation: role of cAMP and JNK in the maintenance of the differentiated state. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:31024-36. [PMID: 20634285 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.116970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelinating Schwann cells (SCs) are highly plastic cells that are able to dedifferentiate and re-enter the cell cycle. However, the molecular signals controlling dedifferentiation are not completely understood. Because a connection between mitogenic signaling and myelin loss has been suggested, we investigated the role of cAMP, a strong inducer of the myelinating phenotype, and mitogenic factors activating receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) on SC dedifferentiation. We herein provide evidence indicating that cAMP was required to not only initiate but also maintain a state of differentiation because SCs rapidly dedifferentiated and became competent to resume proliferation upon the removal of cAMP stimulation. Surprisingly, isolated SCs could undergo multiple cycles of differentiation and dedifferentiation upon cAMP addition and removal, respectively, in the absence of mitogenic factors and without entering the cell cycle. Conversely, the activation of RTKs and the ERK cascade by a variety of growth factors, including neuregulin, was not sufficient to initiate dedifferentiation in the presence of cAMP. Importantly, a reduction of cAMP triggered dedifferentiation through a mechanism that required JNK, rather than ERK, activity and an induction of the expression of c-Jun, a transcriptional inhibitor of myelination. In summary, the reversible transition from an undifferentiated to a myelinating state was dependent on cAMP but independent of RTK signaling and cell cycle progression, further indicating that dedifferentiation and proliferation are uncoupled and differentially regulated events in SCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula V Monje
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
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8
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Singh BN, Koyano-Nakagawa N, Garry JP, Weaver CV. Heart of newt: a recipe for regeneration. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2010; 3:397-409. [PMID: 20559775 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-010-9191-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2010] [Accepted: 04/22/2010] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The field of regenerative medicine holds tremendous promise for the treatment of chronic diseases. While the adult mammalian heart has limited regenerative capacity, previous studies have focused on cellular therapeutic strategies in an attempt to modulate cardiac regeneration. An alternative strategy relies on the modulation of endogenous stem/progenitor cells or signaling pathways to promote cardiac regeneration. Several organisms, including the newt, have an incomparable capacity for the regeneration of differentiated tissues. An enhanced understanding of the signals, pathways, and factors that mediate the regenerative response in these organisms may be useful in modulating the regenerative response of mammalian organs including the injured adult heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhairab N Singh
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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9
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Abstract
Most but not all phyla include examples of species that are able to regenerate large sections of the body plan. The mechanisms underlying regeneration on this scale are currently being studied in a variety of contexts in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Regeneration generally involves the formation of a wound epithelium after transection or injury, followed by the generation of regenerative progenitor cells and morphogenesis to give the regenerate. Common mechanisms may exist in relation to each of these aspects. For example, the initial proliferation of progenitor cells often depends on the nerve supply, whereas morphogenesis reflects the generation of positional disparity between adjacent cells-the principle of intercalation. These mechanisms are reviewed here across a range of contexts. We also consider the evolutionary origins of regeneration and how regeneration may relate to both agametic reproduction and to ontogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy P Brockes
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, England.
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San Miguel-Ruiz JE, García-Arrarás JE. Common cellular events occur during wound healing and organ regeneration in the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2007; 7:115. [PMID: 17945004 PMCID: PMC2176065 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-7-115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2006] [Accepted: 10/18/2007] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND All animals possess some type of tissue repair mechanism. In some species, the capacity to repair tissues is limited to the healing of wounds. Other species, such as echinoderms, posses a striking repair capability that can include the replacement of entire organs. It has been reported that some mechanisms, namely extracellular matrix remodeling, appear to occur in most repair processes. However, it remains unclear to what extent the process of organ regeneration, particularly in animals where loss and regeneration of complex structures is a programmed natural event, is similar to wound healing. We have now used the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima to address this question. RESULTS Animals were lesioned by making a 3-5 mm transverse incision between one of the longitudinal muscle pairs along the bodywall. Lesioned tissues included muscle, nerve, water canal and dermis. Animals were allowed to heal for up to four weeks (2, 6, 12, 20, and 28 days post-injury) before sacrificed. Tissues were sectioned in a cryostat and changes in cellular and tissue elements during repair were evaluated using classical dyes, immmuohistochemistry and phalloidin labeling. In addition, the temporal and spatial distribution of cell proliferation in the animals was assayed using BrdU incorporation. We found that cellular events associated with wound healing in H. glaberrima correspond to those previously shown to occur during intestinal regeneration. These include: (1) an increase in the number of spherule-containing cells, (2) remodeling of the extracellular matrix, (3) formation of spindle-like structures that signal dedifferentiation of muscle cells in the area flanking the lesion site and (4) intense cellular division occurring mainly in the coelomic epithelium after the first week of regeneration. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that H. glaberrima employs analogous cellular mechanisms during wound healing and organ regeneration. Thus, it is possible that regenerative limitations in some organisms are due either to the absence of particular mechanisms associated with repair or the inability of activating the repair process in some tissues or stages.
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Laube F, Heister M, Scholz C, Borchardt T, Braun T. Re-programming of newt cardiomyocytes is induced by tissue regeneration. J Cell Sci 2006; 119:4719-29. [PMID: 17077121 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.03252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Newt hearts are able to repair substantial cardiac injuries without functional impairment, whereas mammalian hearts cannot regenerate. The cellular and molecular mechanisms that control the regenerative capacity of the newt heart are unknown. Here, we show that the ability of newt cardiomyocytes to regenerate cardiac injuries correlates with their ability to transdifferentiate into different cell types. Mechanical injury of the heart led to a severe reduction of sarcomeric proteins in the myocardium, indicating a partial de-differentiation of adult newt cardiomyocytes during regeneration. Newt cardiomyocytes implanted into regenerating limbs lost their cardiac phenotype and acquired skeletal muscle or chondrocyte fates. Reprogramming of cardiomyocytes depended on contact with the limb blastema because cardiomyocytes implanted into intact, non-regenerating limbs or cultured in vitro retained their original identity. We reason that signals from the limb blastema led to de-differentiation of cardiomyocytes, cell proliferation and re-differentiation into specialized cells and propose that the ability of cardiomyocytes to transdifferentiate into different cell types reflects the cellular program that enables heart regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedemann Laube
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Hollystrasse 1, 06097 Halle, Germany
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12
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Abstract
In contrast to mammals, some fish and amphibians have retained the ability to regenerate complex body structures or organs, such as the limb, tail, eye lens, or even parts of the heart. One major difference in the response to injury is the appearance of a mesenchymal growth zone or blastema in these regenerative species instead of the scarring seen in mammals. This blastema is thought to largely derive from the dedifferentiation of various functional cell types, such as skeletal muscle, dermis, and cartilage. In the case of multinucleated skeletal muscle fibers, cell cycle reentry into S-phase as well as fragmentation into mononucleated progenitors is observed both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner L Straube
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
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Blondheim NR, Levy YS, Ben-Zur T, Burshtein A, Cherlow T, Kan I, Barzilai R, Bahat-Stromza M, Barhum Y, Bulvik S, Melamed E, Offen D. Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Express Neural Genes, Suggesting a Neural Predisposition. Stem Cells Dev 2006; 15:141-64. [PMID: 16646662 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2006.15.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Because of their unique attributes of plasticity and accessibility, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may find use for therapy of neurodegenerative disorders. Our previous studies of adult human MSCs demonstrated that these cells express an extensive assortment of neural genes at a low but clearly detectable level. Here, we report expression of 12 neural genes, 8 genes related to the neuro-dopaminergic system, and 11 transcription factors with neural significance by human MSCs. Our results suggest that, as opposed to cells that do not express neural genes, human MSCs are predisposed to differentiate to neuronal and glial lineages, given the proper conditions. Our findings add a new dimension in which to view adult stem cell plasticity, and may explain the relative ease with which MSCs, transplanted into the central nervous system (CNS) differentiate to a variety of functional neural cell types. Our results further promote the possibility that adult human MSCs are promising candidates for cell-based therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Netta R Blondheim
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Felsenstein Medical Research Center and Department of Neurology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus Tel Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine, Petah-Tikva 49100, Israel
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14
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Abstract
In this issue of Chemistry & Biology, Duckmanton et al. have rigorously studied myotube fragmentation, or "cellularization," triggered by microtubule-disrupting agents. They convincingly demonstrate that cellularization remains integral to myogenic dedifferentiation, but is insufficient for reentry of the mononucleate progeny into the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Hines
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
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