From fragment to form: whole-body regeneration in a model urochordate
Abstract Tissue and organ regeneration are common among aquatic invertebrates, yet these taxa and their potential as model organisms remain underexplored. We present evidence of extensive regenerative capabilities in aquatic invertebrates, highlighting examples of whole-body regeneration (WBR), a pe...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | npj Regenerative Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-025-00423-0 |
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| _version_ | 1849237638240796672 |
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| author | Yuval Rinkevich Baruch Rinkevich |
| author_facet | Yuval Rinkevich Baruch Rinkevich |
| author_sort | Yuval Rinkevich |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Tissue and organ regeneration are common among aquatic invertebrates, yet these taxa and their potential as model organisms remain underexplored. We present evidence of extensive regenerative capabilities in aquatic invertebrates, highlighting examples of whole-body regeneration (WBR), a peak form of regeneration, where entire organisms regenerate from minute body fragments. Among the many examples of WBR, we focus on botryllid ascidians, an intriguing group of invertebrate chordates that display chordate tissue complexity while demonstrating WBR from small fragments of blood vessels. Centering on WBR in the model species Botrylloides leachi, we outline shared characteristics of WBR across botryllid ascidians including the presence of circulating multipotent stem cells, systemic induction processes, and ensuing competition among regeneration sites, culminating in the restoration of a complete organism. This regeneration mode is distinct from those in mammals and humans. Further research may offer valuable insights into mechanisms by which tissue fragments reinstate new organisms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c9d1b4da1d5840d18d0bde2a0aaca740 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2057-3995 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Regenerative Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-c9d1b4da1d5840d18d0bde2a0aaca7402025-08-20T04:01:53ZengNature Portfolionpj Regenerative Medicine2057-39952025-08-011011810.1038/s41536-025-00423-0From fragment to form: whole-body regeneration in a model urochordateYuval Rinkevich0Baruch Rinkevich1Chinese Institutes for Medical Research, Institute of Regenerative Biology and MedicineIsrael Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of OceanographyAbstract Tissue and organ regeneration are common among aquatic invertebrates, yet these taxa and their potential as model organisms remain underexplored. We present evidence of extensive regenerative capabilities in aquatic invertebrates, highlighting examples of whole-body regeneration (WBR), a peak form of regeneration, where entire organisms regenerate from minute body fragments. Among the many examples of WBR, we focus on botryllid ascidians, an intriguing group of invertebrate chordates that display chordate tissue complexity while demonstrating WBR from small fragments of blood vessels. Centering on WBR in the model species Botrylloides leachi, we outline shared characteristics of WBR across botryllid ascidians including the presence of circulating multipotent stem cells, systemic induction processes, and ensuing competition among regeneration sites, culminating in the restoration of a complete organism. This regeneration mode is distinct from those in mammals and humans. Further research may offer valuable insights into mechanisms by which tissue fragments reinstate new organisms.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-025-00423-0 |
| spellingShingle | Yuval Rinkevich Baruch Rinkevich From fragment to form: whole-body regeneration in a model urochordate npj Regenerative Medicine |
| title | From fragment to form: whole-body regeneration in a model urochordate |
| title_full | From fragment to form: whole-body regeneration in a model urochordate |
| title_fullStr | From fragment to form: whole-body regeneration in a model urochordate |
| title_full_unstemmed | From fragment to form: whole-body regeneration in a model urochordate |
| title_short | From fragment to form: whole-body regeneration in a model urochordate |
| title_sort | from fragment to form whole body regeneration in a model urochordate |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-025-00423-0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yuvalrinkevich fromfragmenttoformwholebodyregenerationinamodelurochordate AT baruchrinkevich fromfragmenttoformwholebodyregenerationinamodelurochordate |