Lens regeneration in axolotl: new evidence of developmental plasticity

BMC Biology, 2012 · DOI: 10.1186/1741-7007-10-103 · Published: December 17, 2012

Simple Explanation

Salamanders, like newts, have remarkable regenerative abilities, including lens regeneration from the iris. Unlike limb or tail regeneration, the lens can be entirely removed and still regenerate. Newts regenerate lenses from the dorsal iris pigment epithelial cells through transdifferentiation. Interestingly, the ventral iris doesn't normally participate in this process. The axolotl, another salamander known for limb and tail regeneration, was previously thought incapable of lens regeneration. However, this study reveals that axolotls can regenerate lenses, but only during a specific developmental window after hatching.

Study Duration

27 days

Participants

Axolotl larvae (st35 and st43, pre-hatched) and zebrafish embryos (wild-type Ekkwill strain)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Axolotls can regenerate lenses from the iris within a specific time window after hatching, starting at stage 44 and lasting for about two weeks.
2
Unlike newts, lens regeneration in axolotls can occur from either the dorsal or ventral iris, and sometimes even both.
3
Zebrafish, in contrast to axolotls, did not show any evidence of lens regeneration in the experiments conducted.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates that axolotls can regenerate their lenses during a specific developmental window, challenging previous assumptions. The axolotl's lens regeneration process differs from both frogs and newts, exhibiting a unique plasticity where either the dorsal or ventral iris can contribute to lens formation. Comparative transcriptome analysis between axolotls and newts could reveal crucial regulatory mechanisms underlying lens regeneration.

Practical Implications

Comparative Regeneration Studies

The discovery of lens regeneration in axolotls provides a new model for comparative studies with newts and frogs.

Understanding Plasticity

The ability of both dorsal and ventral iris to regenerate the lens in axolotls offers insights into developmental plasticity.

Therapeutic Potential

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of lens regeneration could potentially lead to new therapies for treating eye injuries and diseases in humans.

Study Limitations

1
The study only examined lens regeneration in axolotl larvae, not adults.
2
The exact molecular mechanisms driving lens regeneration in axolotls remain unclear.
3
The reason for the limited time window of lens regeneration in axolotls is not fully understood.

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