Here, we used classical genetics in zebrafish to identify temperature-sensitive mutants in caudal fin regeneration. Gross morphological, histological, and molecular analyses revealed that one of these strains, emmental (emm), failed to form a functional regeneration blastema. Inhibition of emm function by heat treatment during regenerative outgrowth rapidly blocked regeneration. This block was ...

Humans have a limited capacity for tissue regeneration. While we are able to regenerate portions of the kidney, liver, blood, hair and skin cells, we lack the ability to regenerate limbs or larger, more complex organs. Other organisms however, such as zebrafish, are endowed with the capacity to regenerate nearly all complex tissues, including appendages. Using the adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) ...

Cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma (CPDN) is extremely rare in adults. Only 2 cases have been documented in the English literature. Herein, we present a third case of CPDN with unique morphological and immunohistochemical features. A 45-year-old man had a multicystic right renal mass, with a maximum diameter of 3 cm on magnetic resonance imaging. Being unable to rule out malignancy,...

The origin of cells that generate the blastema following appendage amputation has been a long-standing question in epimorphic regeneration studies. The blastema is thought to originate from either stem (or progenitor) cells or differentiated cells of various tissues that undergo dedifferentiation. Here, we investigate the origin of cells that contribute to the regeneration of zebrafish caudal f...

Macrophages are essential for appendage regeneration after amputation in regenerative species. The molecular mechanisms through which macrophages orchestrate blastema formation and regeneration are still unclear. Here, we use the genetically tractable and transparent zebrafish larvae to study the functions of polarized macrophage subsets during caudal fin regeneration. After caudal fin amputati...

The blastema is a mass of progenitor cells that enables regeneration of amputated salamander limbs or fish fins. Methodology to label and track blastemal cell progeny has been deficient, restricting our understanding of appendage regeneration. Here, we created a system for clonal analysis and quantitative imaging of hundreds of blastemal cells and their respective progeny in living adult zebraf...

Among reptiles, lizards have retained remarkable power of regenerating their tails as part of their adaptation. The healing of the wound is a crucial event which differentiates the regenerating and non-regenerating tissues due to presence of signaling molecules that guide the wound for the regeneration of the lost tail. This crucial event includes signals like FGFs, especially FGF-2, and Wnt pr...