Spiny mouse (Acomys): an emerging research organism for regenerative medicine with applications beyond the skin

Abstract

The spiny mouse (Acomys species) has emerged as an exciting research organism due to its remarkable ability to undergo scarless regeneration of skin wounds and ear punches. Excitingly, Acomys species demonstrate scar-free healing in a wide-range of tissues beyond the skin. In this perspective article, we discuss published findings from a variety of tissues to highlight how this emerging research organism could shed light on numerous clinically relevant human diseases. We also discuss the challenges of working with this emerging research organism and suggest strategies for future Acomys-inspired research.

What is next in African neuroscience?

“…The naked mole rat, for example, can endure extreme hypoxic conditions, has an unusual nociceptive system, and seems not to show cognitive decline associated with aging. The spiny mouse, Acomys , is being used to study spinal cord regeneration, due to its ability to heal wounds with little scarring ( Gaire et al, 2021 ). Examples such as these demonstrate the potential of novel model systems to drive scientific breakthroughs, and research in this relatively untapped area is expected to bring these – as well as new, genetically-modified model organisms – to the global stage, generating opportunities to study relevant brain disorders.…”

Protein Hydrogels: The Swiss Army Knife for Enhanced Mechanical and Bioactive Properties of Biomaterials

“…Among them, some well-defined protein hydrogels have found their way into clinical products applied in tissue engineering and biomedicine. For example, two self-assembling peptides -EAK16 and RADA16- are standardly used in cell regeneration, in surgeries to prevent bleeding from small blood vessels and oozing from capillaries of the parenchyma of solid organs and as scaffolds to promote wound healing after surgeries [ 213 ]. Collagen-based hydrogel OP-1 ® , which carries osteogenic protein-1, is currently used in the clinic to treat spinal fusion [ 160 ].…”

Signaling modality within gp130 receptor enhances tissue regeneration

“…During regeneration, inflammation often precedes the actual repair of the lesion (5). Previous studies across a variety of injury models suggest that a dampened inflammatory response can facilitate regeneration (4). IL-6 family of cytokines (IL-6, IL-11, OSM, LIF, etc.…”

“…In high mammals, loss of regenerative ability in the adult can be due to the inability to activate this reprogramming process, which may be in turn suppressed by the dysregulated levels of inflammatory response (4). Controlled signaling components of the local microenvironment, such as inflammatory reactions initiated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, contribute to successful tissue regeneration (5).…”

“…It has been reported that IL-6 cytokines including IL-6 and IL-11 play an important role during limb regeneration after injury in axolotl (9). The regenerative capacity of IL-6 cytokines are also seen in adult mammals in various organs and tissues (4,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). However, aberrant and prolonged activation of IL-6 cytokines is implicated in the pathogenesis of various fibrotic pathologies (15) and complex chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA), where progressive inflammatory and degenerative changes in articular cartilage are also accompanied by the excessive fibroplasia and collagen production in synovial tissue and subchondral bone (16).…”