title: Ear wound regeneration in the African spiny mouse Acomys cahirinus.
abstract: While regeneration occurs in a number of taxonomic groups across the Metazoa, there are very few reports of regeneration in mammals, which generally respond to wounding with fibrotic scarring rather than regeneration. A recent report described skin shedding, skin regeneration and extensive ear punch closure in two rodent species, Acomys kempi and Acomys percivali. We examined these striking results by testing the capacity for regeneration of a third species, Acomys cahirinus, and found a remarkable capacity to repair full thickness circular punches in the ear pinna. Four-millimeter-diameter wounds closed completely in 2 months in 100% of ear punches tested. Histology showed extensive formation of elastic cartilage, adipose tissue, dermis, epidermis and abundant hair follicles in the repaired region. Furthermore, we demonstrated abundant angiogenesis and unequivocal presence of both muscle and nerve fibers in the reconstituted region; in contrast, similar wounds in C57BL/6 mice simply healed the borders of the cut by fibrotic scarring. Our results confirm the regenerative capabilities of Acomys, and suggest this model merits further attention.
authors: Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine University of Algarve 8005-139 Faro Portugal; Center for Biomedical Research, CBMR University of Algarve 8005-139 Faro Portugal.
authors: Dino
authors: D
authors: Matias Santos
authors: Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine University of Algarve 8005-139 Faro Portugal; Center for Biomedical Research, CBMR University of Algarve 8005-139 Faro Portugal.
authors: Ana Martins
authors: AM
authors: Rita
authors: Center for Biomedical Research, CBMR University of Algarve 8005-139 Faro Portugal.
authors: Ignasi
authors: I
authors: Casanellas
authors: Center for Biomedical Research, CBMR University of Algarve 8005-139 Faro Portugal.
authors: Adélia
authors: A
authors: Brito Ova
authors: Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine University of Algarve 8005-139 Faro Portugal; Center for Biomedical Research, CBMR University of Algarve 8005-139 Faro Portugal.
authors: Inês Maria
authors: IM
authors: Araújo
authors: Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR) University of Algarve 8005-139 Faro Portugal.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Power
authors: Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine University of Algarve 8005-139 Faro Portugal; Center for Biomedical Research, CBMR University of Algarve 8005-139 Faro Portugal.
authors: Gustavo
authors: G
authors: Tiscornia
keywords: Acomys; blastema; muscle regeneration; regeneration; spiny mouse