科學(xué)也許又朝弄清附肢再生和脊髓修復(fù)邁進(jìn)了一步,。最近Forsyth研究所研究人員發(fā)現(xiàn)，為了實(shí)現(xiàn)再生,，有些細(xì)胞必須死亡,。這種發(fā)現(xiàn)為探索再生機(jī)制，治療人類斷肢,、遺傳綜合癥,、出生缺陷、癌癥,、再生性疾病,、衰老以及器官衰竭帶來了新的參考。Forsyth人員通過研究蝌蚪（非洲爪蟾幼體）,，檢測到了細(xì)胞再生的支柱,。
非洲爪蟾蝌蚪是研究再生的理想模型，因?yàn)槠淠軌蛟偕鲇泄δ艿奈膊?，包括肌肉,、脈管系統(tǒng)、皮膚和脊髓等,。Forsyth人員研究凋亡（apoptosis）在再生中的作用,。由Forsyth再生和發(fā)育生物學(xué)中心Michael Levin博士率領(lǐng)的研究小組，發(fā)現(xiàn)凋亡在發(fā)育過程中的新作用,，以及在再生過程中的關(guān)鍵作用,。研究結(jié)果將刊登于2007年1月1日《Developmental iology 》(v301i1).
研究摘要
為了弄清再生過程的機(jī)制，F(xiàn)orsyth人員研究再生尾芽（tail bud）中細(xì)胞數(shù)量的動態(tài)變化。先前有研究證實(shí)程序性細(xì)胞死亡是控制細(xì)胞數(shù)量的一種機(jī)制,，許多發(fā)育系統(tǒng)（心臟,、四肢和顱面模式）等都有涉及,。
此次發(fā)現(xiàn),，尾部再生除了需要大量的組織增殖，早期的凋亡事件也是不可少的,。正常的尾部再生過程包括一小部分細(xì)胞凋亡,。如果在頭24小時抑制細(xì)胞凋亡,，再生將不能進(jìn)行，神經(jīng)軸突畸型生長,。晚期抑制細(xì)胞凋亡沒有效果,。提示，特異性細(xì)胞的程序性死亡,，是再生程序的非常早期的步驟,。Levin小組下一步準(zhǔn)備鑒別出必須凋亡的細(xì)胞，以尋找細(xì)胞控制再生的信號,。
英文原文：
Forsyth Scientists Discover Early Key to Regeneration
Science may be one step closer to understanding how a limb can be grown or a spinal cord can be repaired. Scientists at The Forsyth Institute have discovered that some cells have to die for regeneration to occur. This research may provide insight into mechanisms necessary for therapeutic regeneration in humans, potentially addressing tissues that are lost, damaged or non- functional as a result of genetic syndromes, birth defects, cancer, degenerative diseases, accidents, aging and organ failure. Through studies of the frog (Xenopus) tadpole, the Forsyth team examined the cellular underpinnings of regeneration.
The Xenopus tadpole is an ideal model for studying regeneration because it is able to re-grow a fully functioning tail and all of its components, including muscle, vasculature, skin, and spinal cord. The Forsyth scientists studied the role that apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death in multi-cellular organisms, plays in regeneration. The research team, led by Michael Levin, Ph.D., Director of the Forsyth Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, found that apoptosis has a novel role in development and a critical role in regeneration. According to Dr. Levin, 揝imply put, some cells have to die for regeneration to happen.
