Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal.
NOVA Medical School/Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Lisbon, Portugal.
Cell Tissue Res. 2023 Nov;394(2):293-308. doi: 10.1007/s00441-023-03818-x. Epub 2023 Aug 22.
The potential to regenerate a damaged body part is expressed to a different extent in animals. Echinoderms, in particular starfish, are known for their outstanding regenerating potential. Differently, humans have restricted abilities to restore organ systems being dependent on limited sources of stem cells. In particular, the potential to regenerate the central nervous system is extremely limited, explaining the lack of natural mechanisms that could overcome the development of neurodegenerative diseases and the occurrence of trauma. Therefore, understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of regeneration in starfish could help the development of new therapeutic approaches in humans. In this study, we tackle the problem of starfish central nervous system regeneration by examining the external and internal anatomical and behavioral traits, the dynamics of coelomocyte populations, and neuronal tissue architecture after radial nerve cord (RNC) partial ablation. We noticed that the removal of part of RNC generated several anatomic anomalies and induced behavioral modifications (injured arm could not be used anymore to lead the starfish movement). Those alterations seem to be related to defense mechanisms and protection of the wound. In particular, histology showed that tissue patterns during regeneration resemble those described in holothurians and in starfish arm tip regeneration. Flow cytometry coupled with imaging flow cytometry unveiled a new coelomocyte population during the late phase of the regeneration process. Morphotypes of these and previously characterized coelomocyte populations were described based on IFC data. Further studies of this new coelomocyte population might provide insights on their involvement in radial nerve cord regeneration.
在动物中，不同程度地表达了再生受损身体部位的潜力。棘皮动物，特别是海星，以其出色的再生能力而闻名。相比之下，人类恢复器官系统的能力受到限制，这取决于有限的干细胞来源。特别是，中枢神经系统的再生潜力极其有限，这解释了缺乏能够克服神经退行性疾病发展和创伤发生的自然机制。因此，了解海星的再生分子和细胞机制可能有助于在人类中开发新的治疗方法。在这项研究中，我们通过检查外部和内部解剖学和行为特征、体腔细胞群体的动态以及桡神经索（RNC）部分切除后的神经元组织结构，来解决海星中枢神经系统再生的问题。我们注意到，RNC 的一部分被切除会产生多种解剖异常，并诱导行为改变（受伤的手臂不能再用于引导海星运动）。这些改变似乎与防御机制和伤口保护有关。特别是，组织学显示，再生过程中的组织模式类似于在海参和海星臂尖再生中描述的模式。流式细胞术与成像流式细胞术相结合，在再生过程的后期揭示了一种新的体腔细胞群体。基于 IFC 数据，描述了这些和以前描述的体腔细胞群体的形态类型。对这种新的体腔细胞群体的进一步研究可能会深入了解它们在桡神经索再生中的作用。
