Transcriptomic Landscape Around Wound Bed Defines Regenerative Versus Non-regenerative Outcomes in Mouse Digit Amputation
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ABSTRACT: In the mouse distal terminal phalanx (P3), it remains mystery why amputation at less than 33% of the digit results in regeneration, while amputation exceeding 67% leads to non-regeneration. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying this disparity could provide crucial insights for regenerative medicine. In this study, we aim to investigate the tissues within the wound bed to understand the tissue microenvironment associated with regenerative versus non-regenerative outcomes. We employed a P3-specific amputation model in mice, integrated with time-series RNA-seq and a macrophage assay challenged with pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, to explore these mechanisms. Our findings revealed that non-regenerative digits exhibit a greater intense early transcriptional response in the wound bed compared to regenerative ones. Furthermore, early macrophage phenotypes differ distinctly between regenerative and non-regenerative outcomes. Regenerative digits also display unique co-expression modules related to Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (Bmp2). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between regenerative and non-regenerative digits are enriched in targets of several transcription factors, such as HOXA11 and HOXD11 from the HOX gene family, showing a time-dependent pattern of enrichment. These transcription factors, known for their roles in bone regeneration, skeletal patterning, osteoblast activity, fracture healing, angiogenesis, and key signaling pathways, may act as master regulators of the regenerative gene signatures. Additionally, we developed a deep learning AI model capable of predicting post-amputation time and level from RNA-seq data, indicating that the regenerative probability may be "encoded" in the transcriptomic response to amputation.
Project description:Variability of regenerative potential among animals has long perplexed biologists. Based on their amazing regenerative abilities, planarians have become important models for understanding the molecular basis of regeneration; however, planarian species with limited regenerative abilities are also found. Despite the importance of understanding the differences between closely related, regenerating and non-regenerating organisms, few studies have focused on the evolutionary loss of regeneration, and the molecular mechanisms leading to such regenerative loss remain obscure. Here we examine Procotyla fluviatilis, a planarian with restricted ability to replace missing tissues, utilizing next-generation sequencing to define the gene expression programs active in regeneration-permissive and regeneration-deficient tissues. We found that Wnt signaling is aberrantly activated in regeneration-deficient tissues. Remarkably, down-regulation of canonical Wnt signaling in regeneration-deficient regions restores regenerative abilities: blastemas form and new heads regenerate in tissues that normally never regenerate. This work reveals that manipulating a single signaling pathway can reverse the evolutionary loss of regenerative potential. RNA-seq experiments to identify gene expression changes following amputation in body regions with variable regenerative potential. Adult Procotyla fluviatilis were amputated at sites either anterior or posterior to the pharynx. After 24 hours post-amputation, tissues near the amputation site were excised and RNA was extracted. Similar tissues were excised from uncut control animals. Samples were processed for RNA-seq using Illumina procedures. We generated a de novo P. fluviatilis transcriptome and used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to characterize transcripts from excised tissue fragments in Reg+ and Reg- body regions 24 hours post-amputation. We performed parallel analyses on tissues excised from intact animals at identical body regions to account for regional differences in transcripts, thereby identifying changes resulting from amputation. Samples A1-A3 = Regeneration-proficient (Reg+) tissue excision 24 hours after amputation. Samples B1-B3 = Tissue excision from regeneration-proficient (Reg+) region but not amputated. Samples C1-C3 = Tissue excision from regeneration-deficient (Reg-) tissues 24 hours after amputation. Samples D1, D3-D4 = Tissue excision from regeneration-deficient (Reg-) region that was not amputated.
Project description:The induction of limb repair depends on signals that initiate regeneration and the successful transmission of those signals in vivo. Here, we characterize the effects of an integrated device-based in vivo delivery of drug compounds in adult Xenopus laevis, which normally regenerate only a cartilaginous spike after limb amputation. A wearable bioreactor containing a silk protein-based hydrogel containing progesterone that was applied to the wound site immediately after hind-limb amputation for 24 hours induced regeneration of flattened paddle-like structures in adult frogs. Molecular assays (ELISA and NGS), Morphometric analysis (soft-tissue patterning), X-ray imaging (bone regrowth), immunofluorescence (cell proliferation, immune response, neuro/vascular tissues), and behavioral data (functional use of regenerates) were used to characterize the differences between the paddle-like structures and the hypomorphic spike observed in untreated animals. Initially, treated animals exhibited an extensive wound epithelium, and increased nerve supply compared to controls. Subsequently, flattened structures with robust bone remodeling were formed, resembling comparable tissues of adult limbs at the early and middle stages of regeneration. The limbs ceased regeneration at the position where the digits usually form. Functional tests revealed that the response to the paddle-like structures was similar to that of uncut limbs. Analysis of the blastema transcriptome identified a number of key genes related to the combined intervention, and also revealed regulated transcripts related to hormonal and neural pathways, representing novel targets for emerging regenerative therapies. Our experiments (1) establish a new model for testing of therapeutic cocktails in vertebrate limb regeneration; (2) identify pro-regenerative activities of progesterone, and (3) provide proof-of-principle of using integrated device-based delivery of small molecule drugs as a viable strategy to induce and maintain a regenerative response.
Project description:Mice were subjected to hindlimb distal phalanx (P3) amputation to digit 3. For each amputation, mice were anesthetized, the hindlimb claw was extended, and the distal phalanx and footpad was sharply dissected. A regenerating distal phalanx was generated by amputating ≤33% of the P3. Skin wounds were allowed to heal without suturing. Mice were subjected to micro-computed tomography (microCT) one day prior to surgery and immediately after amputation to confirm ≤ 33% removal of the P3. Any digit that did not fall within the ≤ 33% amputation guideline was omitted from the study. Based on our criteria, 17 animals were removed from the study resulting in a final total of 30 mice. P3 mice were collected at hours (0h, 3h, 6h ,12h, and 24h), and days (3d, 7d, 14d, and 21d). Each time point contained 3 mice, except day 7 (6 mice). At the time of P3 collection, samples were immediately immersed in RNAlater for 24h at 4C. The digits were then removed from RNAlater and stored at -80C until performing RNA sequencing.
Project description:Regeneration is the “holy grail” of tissue repair, but skin injury typically yields fibrotic, non-functional scars. Developing pro-regenerative therapies requires rigorous understanding of the molecular progression from injury to fibrosis or regeneration. Here, we report the divergent molecular events driving skin wound cells toward either scarring or regenerative fates. We profile scarring versus YAP inhibition-induced wound regeneration at the transcriptional (single-cell RNA-sequencing), protein (timsTOF proteomics), and tissue (extracellular matrix ultrastructural analysis) levels. Using cell surface barcoding, we integrate these data to reveal fibrotic and regenerative “molecular trajectories” of healing. We show that disrupting YAP mechanical signaling yields regenerative repair orchestrated by fibroblasts with activated Trps1 and Wnt signaling. Finally, by performing in vivo gene knockdown and overexpression in wounds, we identify Trps1 as a key regulatory gene that is necessary and partially sufficient for wound regeneration. Our findings serve as a multimodal map of wound regeneration and could have therapeutic implications for pathologic fibroses.
Project description:Variability of regenerative potential among animals has long perplexed biologists. Based on their amazing regenerative abilities, planarians have become important models for understanding the molecular basis of regeneration; however, planarian species with limited regenerative abilities are also found. Despite the importance of understanding the differences between closely related, regenerating and non-regenerating organisms, few studies have focused on the evolutionary loss of regeneration, and the molecular mechanisms leading to such regenerative loss remain obscure. Here we examine Procotyla fluviatilis, a planarian with restricted ability to replace missing tissues, utilizing next-generation sequencing to define the gene expression programs active in regeneration-permissive and regeneration-deficient tissues. We found that Wnt signaling is aberrantly activated in regeneration-deficient tissues. Remarkably, down-regulation of canonical Wnt signaling in regeneration-deficient regions restores regenerative abilities: blastemas form and new heads regenerate in tissues that normally never regenerate. This work reveals that manipulating a single signaling pathway can reverse the evolutionary loss of regenerative potential. RNA-seq experiments to identify gene expression changes following amputation in body regions with variable regenerative potential.
Project description:Purpose: Investigate the transcriptomic landscape throughout the time course of murine digit regeneration after level-dependent amputation. Methods: The terminal phalanx bone of hind limb digits was subjected to either a distal amputation (25% bone length loss) or proximal amputation (65% bone length loss). Total RNA was isolated from bone and fibrous tissues distal to the distal interphalangeal joint at 12, 14, and 21 days post-amputation (DPA). mRNA library was sequenced using Illumina HiSeq 3000. Trimmed reads were aligned to the mouse genome mm10 and batch-corrected. Results: A limb-specific developmental signaling pathway is transiently upregulated at 14 DPA after distal amputation, corresponding with regeneration of digit tip tissues. Absence of a limb-specific pathway after proximal amputation corresponded with minimal regeneration and fibrotic scarring. Conclusions: Digit regeneration is a level-dependent and spatiotemporally controlled process, with distal and proximal amputations showing significant differences in gene expression and tissue regrowth over time.
Project description:Adult zebrafish can completely regenerate their caudal fin following amputation. This complex process is initiated by the formation of an epithelial would cap over the amputation site by 12 hours post amputation (hpa). Once the cap is formed, mesenchymal cells proliferate and migrate from sites distal to the wound plane and accumulate under the epithelial cap forming the blastemal structure within 48 hpa. Blastemal cells proliferate and differentiate, replacing the amputated tissues, which are populated with angiogenic vessels and innervating nerves during the regenerative outgrowth phase which is completed around 14 days post amputation (dpa). Regenerative outgrowth does not occur in TCDD-exposed zebrafish. To identify the molecular pathways that are perturbed by TCDD exposure, male zebrafish were i.p. injected with 50 ng/g TCDD or vehicle and caudal fins were amputated. Regenerating fin tissue was collected at 1, 3 and 5 dpa for mRNA abundance analysis. Microarray analysis and quantitative real time PCR revealed that wound healing and regeneration alone altered the expression of nearly 900 genes by at least two fold between 1 and 5 dpa. TCDD altered the abundance of 370 genes at least two fold. Among these, several known aryl hydrocarbon responsive genes were identified in addition to several genes involved in extracellular matrix composition and metabolism. The profile of misexpressed genes is suggestive of impaired cellular differentiation and extracellular matrix composition potentially regulated by Sox9b. Experiment Overall Design: Regenerating fins were isolated at 1, 3 and 5 days post amputation. Three replicates were collected at each time point. 10 fins were pooled to comprise one replicate. Fish were dosed at 0 days post amputation with vehicle control alone or 50 ng/g TCDD. Experiment Overall Design: 1 Day Post Amputation Vehicle Exposed: GSM85187, GSM85188, and GSM85189 Experiment Overall Design: 1 Day Post Amputation TCDD Exposed: GSM85190, GSM85191, and GSM85192 Experiment Overall Design: 3 Days Post Amputation Vehicle Exposed: GSM85193, GSM85194, and GSM85195 Experiment Overall Design: 3 Day Post Amputation TCDD Exposed: GSM85196, GSM85197, and GSM85198 Experiment Overall Design: 5 Days Post Amputation Vehicle Exposed: GSM85199, GSM85200, and GSM85201 Experiment Overall Design: 5 Days Post Amputation TCDD Exposed: GSM85202, GSM85203, and GSM85204
Project description:The distal mouse digit tip undergoes complex tissue regeneration following amputation, a process facilitated by the formation of a cellular structure called the blastema. Through single-cell RNA sequencing of the blastema, we identified the gene Mest (mesoderm specific transcript) highly expressed in a subset of blastemal fibroblasts. To determine if Mest expression is necessary for mouse digit tip regeneration, we analyzed Mest wildtype (WT) versus homozygous knockout (KO) post amputation digits. Through single-cell sequencing and FACS analysis of WT and KO regenerating tissues, we determined that this phenomenon was due to a prolonged immune response in the KO digits.
Project description:Xenopus laevis tadpoles differ in their regenerative potential according to their developmental stage. Here, we focus on tail regeneration following amputation. By comparing the regenerative response during the naturally occurring regeneration-competent and -incompetent stages, scRNAseq can reveal cell type changes that are required for successful regeneration.