Abstract
Mammalian organ regeneration is the “Holy Grail” of modern regenerative biology and medicine. The most dramatic organ replacement is known as epimorphic regeneration. To date our knowledge of epimorphic regeneration has come from studies of amphibians. Notably, these animals have the ability to reprogram phenotypically committed cells at the amputation plane toward an embryonic-like cell phenotype (dedifferentiation). The capability of mammals to initiate analogous regeneration, and whether similar mechanisms would be involved if it were to occur, remain unclear. Deer antlers are the only mammalian appendages capable of full renewal, and therefore offer a unique opportunity to explore how nature has solved the problem of mammalian epimorphic regeneration. Following casting of old hard antlers, new antlers regenerate from permanent bony protuberances, known as pedicles. Studies through morphological and histological examinations, tissue deletion and transplantation, and cellular and molecular techniques have demonstrated that antler renewal is markedly different from that of amphibian limb regeneration (dedifferentiation-based), being a stem cell-based epimorphic process. Antler stem cells reside in the pedicle periosteum. We envisage that epimorphic regeneration of mammalian appendages, other than antler, could be made possible by recreating comparable milieu to that which supports the elaboration of that structure from the pedicle periosteum.
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Title: Adult Stem Cells and Mammalian Epimorphic Regeneration-Insights from Studying Annual Renewal of Deer Antlers
Volume: 4 Issue: 3
Author(s): Chunyi Li, Fuhe Yang and Allan Sheppard
Affiliation:
Abstract: Mammalian organ regeneration is the “Holy Grail” of modern regenerative biology and medicine. The most dramatic organ replacement is known as epimorphic regeneration. To date our knowledge of epimorphic regeneration has come from studies of amphibians. Notably, these animals have the ability to reprogram phenotypically committed cells at the amputation plane toward an embryonic-like cell phenotype (dedifferentiation). The capability of mammals to initiate analogous regeneration, and whether similar mechanisms would be involved if it were to occur, remain unclear. Deer antlers are the only mammalian appendages capable of full renewal, and therefore offer a unique opportunity to explore how nature has solved the problem of mammalian epimorphic regeneration. Following casting of old hard antlers, new antlers regenerate from permanent bony protuberances, known as pedicles. Studies through morphological and histological examinations, tissue deletion and transplantation, and cellular and molecular techniques have demonstrated that antler renewal is markedly different from that of amphibian limb regeneration (dedifferentiation-based), being a stem cell-based epimorphic process. Antler stem cells reside in the pedicle periosteum. We envisage that epimorphic regeneration of mammalian appendages, other than antler, could be made possible by recreating comparable milieu to that which supports the elaboration of that structure from the pedicle periosteum.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Li Chunyi, Yang Fuhe and Sheppard Allan, Adult Stem Cells and Mammalian Epimorphic Regeneration-Insights from Studying Annual Renewal of Deer Antlers, Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy 2009; 4 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488809789057446
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488809789057446 |
Print ISSN 1574-888X |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3946 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Metabolic Alterations in the Outer Membrane Vesicles of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease: An LC-MS/MS-based Metabolomics Analysis
Current Alzheimer Research Indoles and Related Compounds as Cannabinoid Ligands
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Angelica Injection Promotes Peripheral Nerve Structure and Function Recovery with Increased Expressions of Nerve Growth Factor and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Diabetic Rats
Current Neurovascular Research Cognitive Dysfunction in FMR1 Premutation Carriers
Current Psychiatry Reviews Role of Neurotrophic Factors in Parkinson's Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Effectiveness of Wet Sheet Packs in Children and Adolescents with Severe Auto/Hetero Aggressive Behaviors: An Exploratory Approach
Adolescent Psychiatry The Clinical Applications of Intranasal Opioids
Current Drug Delivery The Dysregulation of microRNAs and the Role of Stress in the Pathogenesis of Mental Disorders
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Mobile Phone Based Biomedical Imaging Technology: A Newly Emerging Area
Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Alzheimer Research Lithium Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacogenetics: Focus on Inositol Mono Phosphatase (IMPase), Inositol Poliphosphatase (IPPase) and Glycogen Sinthase Kinase 3 Beta (GSK-3 Beta)
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Putative Impact of Metabolic Health on Default Mode Network Activity and Functional Connectivity in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Non-Monoaminergic Targets for the Development of Antidepressants: Focus on Neuropeptides
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Disruption of the Keap1-Containing Ubiquitination Complex as an Antioxidant Therapy
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Properties of Neurotoxic Peptides Related to the Bri Gene
Protein & Peptide Letters Redefining the Role of Long-Acting Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor Tadalafil in the Treatment of Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction
Current Diabetes Reviews Functional Cross-Talk between Adenosine and Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors
Current Neuropharmacology Structure, Function and Interactions of Tau: Particular Focus on Potential Drug Targets for the Treatment of Tauopathies
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Effectiveness of Dimethyl Fumarate Monotherapy in the Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Current Neuropharmacology Proteomic Approaches to Study the Pig Intestinal System
Current Protein & Peptide Science