Scar free healing in mice holds implications
Researchers from the USA are hoping to discover how mice with brittle skin which tears off easily to escape predators can rapidly heal and regrow hairs instead of forming a scar.
In a study published in the journal Nature, it is revealed hat some African spiny mice lost up to 60 per cent of the skin from their backs but, unlike wounds in other mammals, the skin healed and regrew hairs.
As well as skin healing, the mice were also able to heal large circular holes punched in their ears, regenerating hair follicles, sweat glads and cartilage.
Scientists are hoping to discover how this happens and whether it can be applied to people.
Mammals have a very limited ability to regrow lost organs, but tests showed that these mice produced a 'regeneration hub' known as a blastema in order to repair the injury. The same can be observed in salamanders, which are renowned for their regenerative abilities and have long been the focus of research to see if the same effect can be produced in people.
Dr Ashley Seifert, from the University of Florida, said: "This study shows that mammals as a group may in fact have higher regenerative abilities than they are given credit for."
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
