Reconstitution of the central and peripheral nervous system during salamander tail regeneration

PNAS, 2012 · DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1116738109 · Published: July 24, 2012

Simple Explanation

Salamanders can regrow their tails after amputation, including the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. This study investigates how the nervous system regenerates during this process. Researchers found that the correct number and spacing of nerve clusters (dorsal root ganglia) are restored in the regrown tail. They also discovered that cells from the spinal cord can develop into peripheral nerve cells. The study also showed that melanophores, pigment cells, come from existing cells in the skin. Furthermore, stem cells from the spinal cord can be grown in the lab and used to regenerate the spinal cord and peripheral nerves when transplanted back into the salamander.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Axolotl salamanders

Evidence Level

Experimental study

Key Findings

1
The correct number and spacing of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are regenerated after tail amputation in axolotls.
2
Cells associated with the regenerating spinal cord can serve as a source for the regeneration of DRG and Schwann cells.
3
Clonally derived spinal cord neurospheres can regenerate all cell types in the central spinal cord, suggesting the presence of spinal cord stem cells.

Research Summary

This study examines the regeneration of the central and peripheral nervous systems during axolotl tail regeneration, focusing on the origin of dorsal root ganglia (DRG), Schwann cells, and melanophores. The researchers demonstrate that DRG and Schwann cells derive from cell pools associated with the regenerating spinal cord, while melanophores originate from precursors in the skin. The study also shows that neurosphere cultures from the axolotl spinal cord can be engrafted back into the animal to regenerate substantial portions of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system, with clonal neurospheres capable of generating all regions of the central spinal cord.

Practical Implications

Understanding PNS Regeneration

Provides insights into the mechanisms of peripheral nervous system regeneration, which could potentially be applied to treating nerve damage in other organisms.

Stem Cell Potential

Demonstrates the multipotent potential of axolotl spinal cord stem cells, offering a model for studying stem cell-based therapies for spinal cord injuries.

Cellular Origins in Regeneration

Clarifies the origins of different cell types during regeneration, distinguishing between central and peripheral sources for neural crest derivatives.

Study Limitations

1
The exact molecular mechanisms driving the regeneration process are not fully elucidated.
2
The study does not fully address the signals that regulate the differentiation of neurosphere cells into specific neural cell types.
3
The clonal neurosphere experiments did not observe labeled DRG, leaving open the question of whether a single stem cell can generate both CNS and PNS components.

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