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Of Salamanders and Spiny Mice: Common Features of Regeneration and Stem Cells

  • In Vitro and In Vivo Models in Stem Cell Biology (E Scott, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review identifies the salient cellular and molecular features of regeneration of the skin and limbs of salamanders to see whether any of these features are in common with recent reports on the spiny mouse (Acomys), a mammal with some remarkable regenerative behavior. Other reports of mammalian regeneration are also highlighted.

Recent Findings

Mammals have classically been regarded as non-regenerating, but the regeneration of several embryonic and post-natal tissues as well as reports of adult skin and ear hole regeneration have recently been described. Common features of these regenerating systems and those of salamanders are discussed in terms of their immune systems, cytokine responses, matrix composition, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) activation as well as the occurrence of blastemas in these diverse organisms. The common involvement of stem cells in regenerating systems is also addressed.

Summary

Mammals may not have lost all their regenerative powers, and a more diverse approach across other new model systems may reveal surprising behavior such as that seen in Acomys, the spiny mouse. Mammalian regenerating tissues share many common features with the champions of regeneration, the salamanders.

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Acknowledgments

Unpublished work from the author mentioned in the text was supported by a grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation.

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  1. Department of Biology & UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, 2033 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA

    Malcolm Maden

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Correspondence to Malcolm Maden.

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Malcolm Maden declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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All the reported studies with animal subjects performed by the author have complied with all applicable ethical standards following the guidelines of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the National Institutes of Health and protocols approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of Florida.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on In Vitro and In Vivo Models in Stem Cell Biology

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Maden, M. Of Salamanders and Spiny Mice: Common Features of Regeneration and Stem Cells. Curr Stem Cell Rep 3, 164–171 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40778-017-0086-4

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