When we think of animals capable of regeneration, the first thing that probably comes to mind are starfish or salamanders. However, they are not the only ones with this ability: two species of African spiny mice ( Acomys kempi and Acomys percivali ) are the first mammals capable of fully regenerating their fully damaged tissue . That is why these mice are currently being investigated to help improve wound healing in people.
These rodents have weak skin that tears easily, as this helps them escape predators. Mice shed their skin when they are attacked or bitten, thus managing to flee on the spot and leave much of their skin in their claws, which is somewhat less resistant than that of common mice. In addition, as the researchers have stated, these animals are capable of regenerating all of their skin, sweat glands, fur and even cartilage without leaving a scar.
Thus, it has been shown that these small rodents are capable of regenerating their tissues thanks to the blastema, a set of stem cells that are also used by other animals, such as salamanders, to rebuild the missing parts of their body.
In addition, although tissue regeneration is not something new in the animal kingdom (it is common in some insects, reptiles and amphibians) it has never occurred in mammals. Some lizards can regrow their tails, while zebrafish are capable of regenerating various organs, such as the heart.
Regeneration process
The discovery of this mouse occurred in 2012, which opened a new avenue of research in molecular medicine. Furthermore, according to the researchers, it is practically impossible for the mice to have developed a new genetic regeneration mechanism. In fact, as the director of the study, Ashley Seifert argues, it is most likely that the genes that direct regeneration in other animals have been reactivated in these mammals.
Researchers believe that the ability to regenerate damaged tissues could even be activated in humans, since it is only necessary to discover how the process develops in mammals to start something that our system already knows how to do.
References:
Seifert, A., Kiama, S., Seifert, M. et al. ‘Skin shedding and tissue regeneration in African spiny mice’ (Acomys). Nature 489, 561-565 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11499
