Oral-facial tissue reconstruction in the regenerative axolotl
Article [Accepted Manuscript]
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Journal of experimental zoology part B : molecular and developmental evolution ; vol. 326, no. 8, pp. 489-502.Abstract(s)
Absence of large amounts of orofacial tissues caused by cancerous resections, congenital
defects or trauma result in sequelae such as dysphagia and noticeable scars. Oral-neck tissue
regeneration was studied in the axolotl (regenerative amphibian) following a 2.5mm punch
biopsy that simultaneously removed skin, connective tissue, muscle, and cartilage in the tongue
and intermandibular region. The untreated wound was studied macroscopically and histologically
at 17 different time points ranging from 0-180d (N= 120 axolotls). At 12h the wound’s surface
was smoothened and within 1mm, internal lingual muscular modifications occurred; at the same
distance, between days 4-7 lingual muscle degradation was complete. Immunofluorescence
indicates complete keratinocytes migration by 48h. These cells with epidermal Leydig cells,
appearing yellow, lead the chin’s deep tissue outgrowth until its closure on the 14th day.
Regeneration speeds varied and peaked in time for each tissue, 1) deep Immunofluorescence to
Col IV showed basement membrane reconnected between days 30-45 coinciding with the chin’s
dermal tissue’s surface area recovery. New muscle appeared at 21d and was always preceded by
the formation of a collagen bed. Both chin tissues regain all surface area and practically all
components while the lingual structure lacks some content but is generally similar to the original.
The methodology and high-resolution observations described here are the first of its kind for this
animal model and could serve as a basis for future studies in oral and facial regenerative research.
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