2023-11-20 11:00:09
The African frog (xenopus laevis) arrived in Chile in 1973 due to an accidental introduction. The amphibian quickly reproduced in the central area of Chile. Among the negative consequences was the displacement of the native Chilean frog species, which is in danger of extinction. But, in addition, this new amphibian began to be used in experimental medicine. Paula Slaterresearcher at the San Sebastian Universityworks with this frog in regenerative medicine.
This species of amphibian is widely used as an experimental model for molecular biology, genetics and teratogenesis. In addition, they were used for the first pregnancy test and were the first vertebrate to be cloned. The doctor, in conversation with Rockstars, refers to her research to help find the formula to regenerate in human beings.
“This is a unique animal. There are species that are capable of regenerating throughout their lives and others, such as mammals, that we are not capable of doing so. So, this frog is somewhere in between, since when they are tadpoles they have a high regenerative capacity. Therefore, one can study all the cellular and molecular components that underlie a successful event.”
Paula Slater, USS researcher.
The African frog, following its metamorphosis, begins to lose this regenerative capacity. And now, in youth, it can no longer regenerate. “So, all of this allows us to compare between these two stages of the life of frogs, in order to find possible therapeutic targets and generate a therapy to eventually be able to bring it to what happens in human beings”indicates the researcher.
Paula Slater analyzes the differences
Regarding what the studies have shown in the different states of the African frog, Paula Slater points out that before regenerating there are signaling pathways and there are cellular events that are recapitulated and occur once more in tadpoles as well, therefore, it is something quite conserved. . “And in animals that no longer regenerate, something quite similar also happens. For example, tissue regeneration is generated, as in the case of a scar. And that is the same thing that happens in the non-regenerating stages of frogs,” she maintains.
For this reason, in humans when any type of damage occurs to the spinal cord, the most common result is possible paralysis. Regarding the experience of tending to regenerate this structure, a special one in humans, the doctor points out “that it is a bit difficult to study or enhance regeneration. So far, all the studies that have been done and the treatments are mainly to prevent the spread of damage.”
And under the same, he adds: “Damage to the spinal cord has two well-marked phases. When the damage itself is generated, the impact causes damage to the tissues and nerve cells, which have their extensions in the spinal cord. But then all this also generates a biochemical response or inflammation, which also leads to an increase in the area of damage. And this can be seen up to months or years following having suffered damage to the spinal cord.”
Paula Slater comments that since human beings do not have regenerative capacity, the treatments that exist today focus on stopping the spread of damage, so that the prognosis of the disease is not so bad. That is, try to control as much as possible. “There are some mammals that are not capable of regenerating, but when studies (or research) are done, the axons – deep down – try to regenerate, they move a little, trying to find the place, but they cannot generate the reaction well. “structure that will guide this new growth”indica.
One of the main differences between animals that regenerate and those that do not has to do with mitochondria, with the chemical activation of cells. This is just being studied and the reasons are being found. “We have seen in animals that regenerate that there is a change. both phenotypic and functional. in the mitochondria. It is in the mitochondria where the greatest amount of energy is generated. What we see, in early stages, is that there is a change in morphology, a change in function and the mitochondria stop functioning,” he explains.
Finally, Paula Slater refers to the possibility of transferring mitochondria between animals. “That is part of a current project. So far, mitochondrial transplantation or transfer is super complex. We have to find the right conditions to be able to keep the mitochondria functional and so that they can be transferred to another organism. At least, there are studies in cell cultures and in animal models that when mitochondria are transplanted, the cells are capable of incorporating them.”Explain.
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