Regeneration of amputated mice digit tips by including Wnt signaling pathway with CHIR99021 and IWP-2 chemicals in limb organ culture system

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, 1665659911, Iran

2 Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Objective(s): Mammals have limited limb regeneration compared to amphibians. The role of Wnt signaling pathways in limb regeneration has rarely been studied. So, this study aimed to investigate the effect of Wnt-signaling using chemicals CHIR99021 and IWP-2 on amputated mice digit tips regeneration in an in vitro organ culture system.
Materials and Methods: The distal phalanx of paws from C57BL/6J mouse fetuses at E14.5, E16.5, and E18.5 was amputated. Then, the hands were cultured for 7 days. Subsequently, paws were treated with 1–50 µg/ml concentration of CHIR99021 and 5–10 µg/ml concentration of IWP-2. Finally, the new tissue regrowth was assessed by histological analysis, immunohistochemistry for BC, TCF1, CAN, K14, and P63 genes, and beta-catenin and Tcf1 genes were evaluated with RT-qPCR. 
Results: The paws of E14.5 and E16.5 days were shrinkaged and compressed after 7 days, so the paws of 18.5E that were alive were selected. As a result, newly-grown masses at digit tips were observed in 25 and 30 µl/ml concentrations of the CHR99021 group but not in the IWP2 treatment (*P<0.05; **P<0.01). qRT-PCR analysis confirmed the significant up-regulation of beta-catenin and Tcf1 genes in CHIR99021 group in comparison to the IWP-2 group (P<0.05). Moreover, Alcian-blue staining demonstrated the presence of cartilage-like tissue at regenerated mass in the CHIR group. In immunohistochemistry analysis beta-catenin, ACN, Keratin-14, and P63 protein expression were observed in digit tips in the CHIR-treated group.  
Conclusion: By activating the Wnt signaling pathway, cartilage-like tissue formed in the blastema-like mass in the mouse’s amputated digit tips. 

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Volume 27, Issue 10
October 2024
Pages 1251-1259

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