Cell Transplantation as a Method to Investigate Spinal Cord Regeneration in Regenerative and Nonregenerative Xenopus Stages

Cold Spring Harbor Protocols
Emilio E Méndez-Olivos, Juan Larraín

Abstract

Mammals are not capable of regenerating their central nervous system (CNS); anamniotes, however, can regenerate in response to injury. The mechanisms that explain the different regenerative capabilities include: (i) extrinsic mechanisms that consider the cellular environment and extracellular matrix composition, (ii) intrinsic factors implicating the presence or absence of genetic programs that promote axon regeneration, and (iii) the presence or absence of neural stem and progenitors cells (NSPCs) that allow neurogenesis. Xenopus laevis is able to regenerate its CNS during larval stages (i.e., the regenerative stage [R-stage]). However, concomitant with metamorphosis this capacity decreases and is lost completely in juvenile froglets (i.e., nonregenerative stages [NR-stages]). The loss of the regenerative ability correlates with a reduction in the percentage of Sox2+ cells, which are putative NSPCs. This protocol shows the effect of transplantation of spinal cord cells from R-stage Xenopus larvae into NR-stage froglets. Using this procedure, it is possible to study axon regeneration and stem cell biology in vivo.

References

Oct 1, 1990·Journal of Neurobiology·M S BeattieG Lopate
Jan 1, 2013·Developmental Cell·Gufa LinJonathan M W Slack
Mar 24, 2015·Developmental Biology·Rosana MuñozJuan Larraín
Apr 26, 2017·Nature Neuroscience·Peggy AssinckWolfram Tetzlaff

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Citations

Mar 31, 2021·Cold Spring Harbor Protocols·Paula G SlaterJuan Larraín

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