Interactions of the lepidotrichial matrix components during tail fin regeneration in teleosts.

Teleost fin rays are able to regenerate, when they are cut, restoring the whole structure in a few weeks. Following the formation and growth of an apical blastema, deposition of lepidotrichial matrix occurs. We have histo and immunochemically analyzed the maturation process of the lepidotrichial hemisegment, pointing out the interactions between their components and likewise the temporal and spatial distribution of some extracellular matrix components during regeneration. Lepidotrichial matrix is rich in sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), most of which are forming proteoglycans. Collagen is abundant and it strongly interacts with GAGs, as the tissue differentiates. The use of specific digestions with papain and collagenase suggests that some mannose rich glycoproteins may be also implicated in lepidotrichial maturation before mineralization. In each hemisegment a central band (CB) can be observed. In spite of the histochemical similarities between the CB and the subepidermical basement membrane, neither collagen IV nor laminin are present. This CB could be the result of a transient transdifferentiation of the outer lepidotrichial synthesizing cells.