哺乳动物再生能力调控关键分子开关发现

Core Insights - Chinese scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in regenerative medicine by identifying retinoic acid, a metabolite of vitamin A, as a key "molecular switch" that regulates the regenerative capacity of mammals [1][2] - The research marks a significant original innovation breakthrough in the field of regenerative medicine in China, particularly in understanding why mammals have limited organ regeneration capabilities compared to lower animals like salamanders [1] Group 1 - The research team focused on the ear structure of mammals, which evolved approximately 160 million years ago and consists of complex tissues such as skin, cartilage, and peripheral nerves [1] - Different mammals exhibit significant variations in their ear regeneration capabilities after damage, with species like rabbits and African spiny mice able to fully repair their ear structures, while mice and rats fail to regenerate effectively [1][2] Group 2 - A systematic comparative study was conducted on the ear damage repair processes in rabbits and mice, utilizing advanced techniques such as spatial transcriptomics and cell lineage tracing to analyze differences in cell types and gene expression during repair [2] - The study concluded that insufficient production of retinoic acid leads to regeneration failure, while external supplementation of retinoic acid can activate regeneration processes [2] - This research provides new insights into the key factors behind the failure of organ regeneration in mammals, including the heart and central nervous system, and has significant implications for understanding the regulation of regenerative capabilities in evolutionary biology [2]