Facebook PixelUsing a genetically modified axolotl as a living bioreactor to regenerate limbs in mammals
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Using a genetically modified axolotl as a living bioreactor to regenerate limbs in mammals

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Darko Savic
Darko Savic Feb 01, 2022
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A genetically modified axolotl attached to an amputated limb of a mammal could be used as a living bioreactor to regenerate the limb. In this case, it would serve a similar function as a placenta.
This idea was inspired by this paper, this tweet, and this idea.
Why?
Ultimately, a way to regenerate limbs in mammals (someday in humans). Until then, this sounds like an interesting experiment we could learn from and iterate.
How it works
Axolotls are able to regenerate limbs, internal organs, and even brains. One of the factors that make this possible in axolotls, but not in mammals is a different environment that forms around the amputation wound.
What if we could use the axolotl to "lend" us the right environment and all the necessary factors? What if the axolotl served as a live bioreactor that is attached over a freshly sliced amputation spot? It would be kept alive while the amputated mammal limb grows inside it.
To prevent the different immune systems from killing each other's cells the axolotl could be genetically modified to express the patient's (mammal) haplotype. Or/and it could be a chimera where during the axolotl's development stage, the mammal's induced pluripotent stem cells were inserted.
Being sewn onto a damaged axolotl, human cells would find themselves in the right environment where regeneration is possible (due to axolotl cells chemical signaling, etc). Rather than producing a scar, human cells would begin regenerating - just like they did during embryogenesis. They know how to do it. They've done it once before. The axolotl environment just makes it possible again.
Now... how to prevent the axolotl and human cells from fusing together without regenerating either. I don't know. Maybe someone knowldegeable could make this idea feasible?
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Shubhankar Kulkarni
Shubhankar Kulkarni3 years ago
I think the axolotl will need to be genetically modified to reconstruct a particular limb of a particular person. The same axolotl could not be used to reconstruct the limbs of two different people and also different limbs of the same person. This may increase the cost of the procedure. However, this is a start and we may be able to use the same axolotl to perform multiple different reconstructions in the future.
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Darko Savic
Darko Savic3 years ago
Shubhankar Kulkarni the idea is for the person's own cells to reconstruct the limb. The axolotl would provide the right environment for the human cells to work in
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jnikola
jnikola3 years ago
Darko Savic Would that require axolotls limb to be amputated, too? Because if not injured, the axolotl will not reconstruct anything, right? I am not sure I understand the concept.
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Darko Savic
Darko Savic3 years ago
J. Nikola yes, the axolotl would need to be injured too
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jnikola
jnikola3 years ago
Darko Savic and what would make the axolotl regenerate limb of the human to whom it's attached, rather than its own?
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