Recruitment of postmitotic neurons into the regenerating spinal cord of urodeles

TY - JOUR

T1 - Recruitment of postmitotic neurons into the regenerating spinal cord of urodeles

AU - Zhang, Fang

AU - Ferretti, Patrizia

AU - Clarke, Jonathan D W

PY - 2003/2

Y1 - 2003/2

N2 - By using fluorescent tracers, we have investigated the origin of the cells that form the regenerating spinal cord after tail amputation in urodele amphibians. We show that spinal cord cells immediately adjacent to the amputation plane die and are removed by phagocytic cells. Spinal cells just anterior to these dying cells are destined to make the majority of the regenerating cord. The largest contribution is likely to come from the radial ependymal cells, but we also demonstrate that postmitotic neurons in this location can translocate into the regenerating cord. These neurons integrate into the regenerate structure and survive for at least 4 weeks. We find no evidence that these translocated neurons dedifferentiate and divide during this regeneration process. We discuss the possibility that these neurons survive long term in the regenerate cord and become part of the functional neuronal circuitry.

AB - By using fluorescent tracers, we have investigated the origin of the cells that form the regenerating spinal cord after tail amputation in urodele amphibians. We show that spinal cord cells immediately adjacent to the amputation plane die and are removed by phagocytic cells. Spinal cells just anterior to these dying cells are destined to make the majority of the regenerating cord. The largest contribution is likely to come from the radial ependymal cells, but we also demonstrate that postmitotic neurons in this location can translocate into the regenerating cord. These neurons integrate into the regenerate structure and survive for at least 4 weeks. We find no evidence that these translocated neurons dedifferentiate and divide during this regeneration process. We discuss the possibility that these neurons survive long term in the regenerate cord and become part of the functional neuronal circuitry.

KW - Animals

KW - Spinal Cord

KW - Nerve Regeneration

KW - Cell Aging

KW - Amputation

KW - Neurons

KW - Mitosis

KW - Recruitment, Neurophysiological

KW - Tail

KW - Ambystoma

U2 - 10.1002/dvdy.10230

DO - 10.1002/dvdy.10230

M3 - Article

C2 - 12557212

SN - 1058-8388

VL - 226

SP - 341

EP - 348

JO - Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists

JF - Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists

IS - 2

ER -