Validation of newt skin regeneration for skin regenerative medicine

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18444
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56070:Plastic and reconstructive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: KAYOKO UNO 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 助教 (80867747)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 皮膚 / 再生 / イモリ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Amphibian newts are known for their amazing regenerative powers, but much about them has remained a mystery. The newt is characterized by a lifelong regenerative ability that does not diminish, a feature that distinguishes it from other regenerative organisms. In order to apply this unique regenerative ability of newts to medical treatment, it was first necessary to clarify the basic structure of newt skin. In this study, we found that newt skin is composed of epidermis, dermis, and dermal appendages, and shares the same basic structure with human skin. The epidermis is composed of a multilayered squamous epithelium, as in humans, with a basal layer and stratum corneum, but no structures corresponding to the stratum granulosum or stratum spinosum, and is composed of several transitional layers. The skin regenerated without fibrosis even after loss of all layers, including the dermal appendages.

Free Research Field

形成外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

我々と同じ脊椎動物で生涯にわたり再生力の落ちない生物はイモリだけであり、この特異な再生力の秘密を解き明かすことでまだ見ぬ未来の再生医療に繋がる可能性がある。しかしながらイモリについては多くが謎であり、皮膚については基本構造すら学術的な情報に乏しい状態であった。今回の成果はイモリ皮膚再生に関する研究の基盤となり、今後イモリ皮膚再生医療研究を進めていくための重要な足掛かりとなる。