title: Spinal cord regeneration in Xenopus laevis.
abstract: Here we present a protocol for the husbandry of Xenopus laevis tadpoles and froglets, and procedures to study spinal cord regeneration. This includes methods to induce spinal cord injury (SCI); DNA and morpholino electroporation for genetic studies; in vivo imaging for cell analysis; a swimming test to measure functional recovery; and a convenient model for screening for new compounds that promote neural regeneration. These protocols establish X. laevis as a unique model organism for understanding spinal cord regeneration by comparing regenerative and nonregenerative stages. This protocol can be used to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in nervous system regeneration, including neural stem and progenitor cell (NSPC) proliferation and neurogenesis, extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms involved in axon regeneration, glial response and scar formation, and trophic factors. For experienced personnel, husbandry takes 1-2 months; SCI can be achieved in 5-15 min; and swimming recovery takes 20-30 d.
authors.affiliation: Center for Aging and Regeneration, Millennium Nucleus in Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Edwards-Faret
authors.affiliation: Center for Aging and Regeneration, Millennium Nucleus in Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Rosana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Center for Aging and Regeneration, Millennium Nucleus in Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Emilio E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Méndez-Olivos
authors.affiliation: Center for Aging and Regeneration, Millennium Nucleus in Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Dasfne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee-Liu
authors.affiliation: Center for Aging and Regeneration, Millennium Nucleus in Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Victor S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Tapia
authors.affiliation: Center for Aging and Regeneration, Millennium Nucleus in Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Larraín
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D058630:Spinal Cord Regeneration; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000502:physiology*