Limb Regeneration and Functional Recovery in adult Xenopus laevis

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In summary, scientists have successfully regrown amputated hind legs in adult frogs using a multidrug, pro-regenerative treatment delivered by a wearable bioreactor. This treatment resulted in long-term (18 months) regrowth, marked tissue repatterning, and functional restoration of the hindlimb, exceeding the complexity and sensorimotor capacities of untreated and control animals. Additionally, the animals exposed to the full treatment condition showed restored sensorimotor pathways to pre-injury levels, indicating the reestablishment of afferent sensory nerve fibers and neuromuscular tissue interfaces. This achievement has been a long-standing goal in scientific research since the 1980s.
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Tom.G
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Amputated hind legs were sucessfully regrown and functional in adult frogs.


"Here, we demonstrate long-term (18 months) regrowth, marked tissue repatterning, and functional restoration of an amputated X. laevis hindlimb following a 24-hour exposure to a multidrug, pro-regenerative treatment delivered by a wearable bioreactor. Regenerated tissues composed of skin, bone, vasculature, and nerves significantly exceeded the complexity and sensorimotor capacities of untreated and control animals’ hypomorphic spikes.
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...we determined that sensorimotor pathways were functionally restored to preinjury levels in the animals exposed to the full treatment condition, indicating reestablishment of afferent sensory nerve fibers and neuromuscular tissue interfaces.


Popular article:
https://www.livescience.com/frogs-regrow-amputated-legs-in-lab

Technical article:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abj2164
 
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People have wanted to do this at least since I was in grad school, in the 1980's.
 
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1. How does limb regeneration occur in adult Xenopus laevis?

Limb regeneration in adult Xenopus laevis occurs through the activation of dormant cells in the stump of the amputated limb. These cells, known as blastema cells, rapidly proliferate and differentiate into the various tissues needed to form a new limb.

2. What is the timeline for limb regeneration in adult Xenopus laevis?

The timeline for limb regeneration in adult Xenopus laevis varies depending on the level of amputation and the health of the individual frog. On average, it takes about 4-6 weeks for a fully functional limb to regenerate.

3. Can adult Xenopus laevis regenerate multiple limbs at once?

Yes, adult Xenopus laevis has the ability to regenerate multiple limbs at once. However, the process may take longer and the quality of regeneration may be affected by the number of limbs being regenerated simultaneously.

4. Is functional recovery achieved after limb regeneration in adult Xenopus laevis?

Yes, functional recovery is achieved after limb regeneration in adult Xenopus laevis. Studies have shown that the regenerated limbs are able to perform all the functions of a normal limb, including grasping and swimming.

5. What factors can affect the success of limb regeneration in adult Xenopus laevis?

Several factors can affect the success of limb regeneration in adult Xenopus laevis, including the level of amputation, the health and age of the frog, and environmental conditions such as temperature and nutrition. Additionally, genetic factors may also play a role in the success of limb regeneration.

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