© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 79
J. Wilson-Rawls, K. Kusumi (eds.), Innovations in Molecular Mechanisms
and Tissue Engineering, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-44996-8_5
Chapter 5
Digit Regeneration in Mammals
Lindsay A. Dawson , Paula P. Schanes , Connor Dolan , Paulina Ketcham ,
Ling Yu , Mingquan Yan , Tao Li , and Ken Muneoka
5.1 Introduction
The astonishing regenerative ability of the urodele amphibian limb has long been
investigated as the chief model for regeneration in vertebrates. The urodele limb
responds to amputation via a process called epimorphic regeneration , and involves
the formation of a blastema comprised of proliferating cells that are undifferentiated.
The regeneration process involves a series of stages (e.g. infl ammation, wound clo-
sure, dedifferentiation, cell migration, etc.) many of which are known to be essential
for the successful replacement of the amputated structure. Such a stepwise view of
regeneration [ 1 ] points to the fact that the regenerative response involves a complex
series of interconnecting processes, and not simply an event that can be toggled on
or off. While the urodele limb represents a beacon for regeneration among higher
vertebrates, mammals, including humans, are not without regenerative capabilities
and can successfully regenerate the distal portion of the fi ngertip [ 2 , 3 ]. This regen-
eration response is amputation level specifi c, in that conservative treatment of ampu-
tations distal to the nail matrix can successfully regenerate, while amputations
proximal to the nail matrix results in a more traditional wound healing response that
culminates with scar formation. This regenerative ability is particularly enhanced in
L. A. Dawson () • P. P. Schanes • C. Dolan • P. Ketcham • L. Yu • M. Yan • K. Muneoka ()
Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology , Texas A&M University ,
College Station , TX 77843-4466 , USA
e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; kmuneoka@cvm.
tamu.edu
T. L i
Department of Hand Surgery , Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong
University of Science and Technology , 1277 Jiefang Avenue , Wuhan , Hubei , P.R. China , 430022
e-mail: [email protected]