Work

Transcriptomic analysis of bone and fibrous tissue morphogenesis during digit tip regeneration in the adult mouse

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: Humans have limited regenerative potential of musculoskeletal tissues following limb or digit loss. The murine digit has been used to study mammalian regeneration, where stem/progenitor cells (the “blastema”) completely regenerate the digit tip after distal, but not proximal, amputation. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for this response remain to be determined. Here, we evaluated the spatiotemporal formation of bone and fibrous tissues after level‐dependent amputation of the murine terminal phalanx and quantified the transcriptome of the repair tissue. Distal (regenerative) and proximal (non‐regenerative) amputations showed significant differences in temporal gene expression and tissue regrowth over time. Genes that direct skeletal system development and limb morphogenesis are transiently upregulated during blastema formation and differentiation, including distal Hox genes. Overall, our results suggest that digit tip regeneration is controlled by a gene regulatory network that recapitulates aspects of limb development, and that failure to activate this developmental program results in fibrotic wound healing.

Source: The FASEB Journal

DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000330r

Authors: Feini Qu, Ilan C. Palte, Paul M. Gontarz, Bo Zhang, Farshid Guilak

Institutions: Washington University in St. Louis, Shriners Hospitals for Children - St. Louis

Language: English

Topic: Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green