title: Extracellular matrix considerations for scar-free repair and regeneration: insights from regenerative diversity among vertebrates.
abstract: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an essential feature of development, tissue homeostasis and recovery from injury. How the ECM responds dynamically to cellular and soluble components to support the faithful repair of damaged tissues in some animals but leads to the formation of acellular fibrotic scar tissue in others has important clinical implications. Studies in highly regenerative organisms such as the zebrafish and the salamander have revealed a specialist formulation of ECM components that support repair and regeneration, while avoiding scar tissue formation. By comparing a range of different contexts that feature scar-less healing and full regeneration vs. scarring through fibrotic repair, regenerative therapies that incorporate ECM components could be significantly enhanced to improve both regenerative potential and functional outcomes. This article is part of a directed issue entitled: Regenerative Medicine: the challenge of translation.
authors.affiliation: Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute/EMBL Australia, Monash University, Level 1, Building 75, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia. Electronic address: james.godwin@monash.edu.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Godwin
authors.affiliation: Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute/EMBL Australia, Monash University, Level 1, Building 75, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Drew
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kuraitis
authors.affiliation: Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute/EMBL Australia, Monash University, Level 1, Building 75, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London W12 0NN, UK.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000502:physiology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins
keywords: Biomaterials; Lizard; Salamander; Scar-free; Scarring; Zebrafish