Regeneration of fingers

Two proteins contributed to partial regeneration of amputated fingers in mice

Lina Medvedeva, XX2 century

Researchers have discovered two proteins that may partially stimulate the growth of amputated fingers in mice. This discovery brings us one step closer to one day learning how to restore lost limbs in humans.

Previously, scientists managed to grow bone tissue, but the new study also gave positive results when growing joints – this is a more complex level than it was before. Joints and bones are equally important for the restoration of lost limbs.

If earlier BMP2 protein was used for bone regeneration in mice, now scientists have added another one, BMP9. When this combination was used on mice with amputated fingers, more than 60% of the truncated bones formed a layer of cartilage within three days. Without proteins, the amputated fingers would have healed as usual.

Sequential processing of the edge of the stump of the bone of a partially amputated mouse finger with BMP2 and BMP9 proteins stimulates the regrowth of a new part to replace the one taken away.

Cartilage is a key part of joints, it indicates progress in the field of limb regeneration. Even in animals whose lost limbs grow naturally, joint regeneration rarely happens.

"Our research proves that the use of proteins can be used to model the regenerative response to a non–regenerating amputation wound," the researchers explain in the article Yu et al. BMP9 stimulates joint regeneration at digit amputation wounds in mice, published in the journal Nature Communications.

The results showed that the regeneration process was more successful when BMP2 was applied first, and BMP9 was added a week later. This led to the growth of more complete joint structures, which even had connections with the bone.

Researchers are still far from regenerating whole limbs in mice, and even more so in humans, but only sequential steps can be taken in this area. Humans are similar to mice in how their skeletons are built, so in the future, the results may possibly be applied in humans.

"Our study is qualitatively new," one of the researchers, Ken Muneoka from Texas A&M University, told the journal New Scientist.

The results show that mammalian cells can repair body parts with the right approach. "They are capable of it, but they just don't do it,– says Muneoka. "We need to understand what is stopping them."

There is still a lot of research to be done on how to properly "switch" cells. In the future, this will help to find a treatment method for such a degenerative disease as osteochondrosis. Cartilage will be replaced naturally, not transplanted.

Scientists also draw inspiration from the animal kingdom – they study how newts are able to regenerate limbs. According to Muneoka, they just use the right cells.

If one day a means to restore lost limbs is found, then BMP2 and BMP9 proteins will almost certainly be present in it.

"This discovery requires further confirmation so that we can see how non-regenerating mammalian cells retain information about their position after amputation. This is necessary for the restoration of structures," the study concludes.

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