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An ERK-dependent molecular switch antagonizes fibrosis and promotes regeneration in spiny mice (Acomys)

ABSTRACT: Although most mammals heal injured tissues and organs with scarring, spiny mice (Acomys) naturally regenerate skin and complex musculoskeletal tissues. Currently, the core signaling pathways driving mammalian tissue regeneration are poorly characterized. Here, we show that, while immediate ERK activation is a shared feature of scarring (Mus) and regenerating (Acomys) injuries, ERK activity is only sustained during complex tissue regeneration. Following ERK inhibition, regeneration in Acomys shifted towards a fibrotic repair. Using scRNA-seq, we uncovered that MAPK/ERK signaling acts in a cell type specific manner to direct regenerative healing. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments prompted us to identify FGF and ErbB signaling as upstream ERK regulators of regeneration. By ectopically activating ERK in Mus injuries, a pro- regenerative response was induced, including cell proliferation, extracellular matrix remodeling and hair follicle neogenesis. Our data provide new insights into why some mammals regenerate better than others and open avenues to redirect fibrotic repair towards regenerative healing.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus Acomys cahirinus

PROVIDER: GSE224433 | GEO | 2023/04/28

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:While considerable progress has been made towards understanding the complex processes and pathways that regulate human wound healing, regenerative medicine has been unable to develop therapies that coax the natural wound environment to heal scar-free. The inability to induce perfect skin regeneration stems partly from our limited understanding of how scar-free healing occurs in a natural setting. Here we have investigated the wound repair process in adult axolotls and demonstrate that they are capable of perfectly repairing full thickness excisional wounds made on the flank. In the context of mammalian wound repair, our findings reveal a substantial reduction in hemostasis, reduced neutrophil infiltration and a relatively long delay in production of new extracellular matrix (ECM) during scar-free healing. Additionally, we test the hypothesis that metamorphosis leads to scarring and instead show that terrestrial axolotls also heal scar-free, albeit at a slower rate. Analysis of newly forming dermal ECM suggests that low levels of fibronectin and high levels of tenascin-C promote regeneration in lieu of scarring. Lastly, a genetic analysis during wound healing comparing epidermis between aquatic and terrestrial axolotls suggests that matrix metalloproteinases may regulate the fibrotic response. Our findings outline a blueprint to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms coordinating scar-free healing that will be useful towards elucidating new regenerative therapies targeting fibrosis and wound repair. We used microarray analysis to determine the gene expression changes that take place during scar free wound healing in aquatic and terrestrial axolotl salamanders. Epidermal tissue was harvested using a 4mm biopsy punch. Two wounds were made along the flank and posterior to the forelimbs. Harvested epidermis was pooled for each animal. Four biological replicates were collected from uninjured epidermis (D0) and at 1, 3, and 7 days post injury.

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An ERK-dependent molecular switch antagonizes fibrosis and promotes regeneration in spiny mice (Acomys)

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