Cardiac regeneration in the axolotl is unaffected by alterations in leukocyte numbers induced by lipopolysaccharide and prednisolone

• Published in: BMC research notes Vol. 14; no. 1; p. 157
• Main Authors: Pedersen, Kathrine, Rasmussen, Rikke Kongsgaard, Dittrich, Anita, Lauridsen, Henrik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central 28.04.2021; BMC
• Subjects: Ambystoma mexicanum; Animals; Axolotl; Cardiac function; Heart; Heart rate; Heart regeneration; Histology; Immune system; Inflammation; Innate immunity; Leukocyte Count; Lipopolysaccharide; Lipopolysaccharides; Lymphocytes; Macrophages; Neutrophils; Prednisolone; Prednisolone - pharmacology; Research Note; Surgery; Heart regeneration; Lipopolysaccharide; Axolotl; Inflammation; Prednisolone; Immune system
• ISSN: 1756-0500; 1756-0500
• DOI: 10.1186/s13104-021-05574-z

Cardiac regeneration in the axolotl has been found to rely on the innate immune system, and especially macrophages have been demonstrated to play a vital role in regulating the regenerative process. In this study we wanted to induce a pro- and anti-inflammatory milieu in the axolotl during heart regeneration to test the resilience of the regenerative response. This was induced via repeated intrapericardial injections of lipopolysaccharide or prednisolone during a 40-day regeneration period in order to challenge the presumably fine-tuned inflammatory response that normally facilitates regeneration. We observed a local and systemic leucocyte response to pro- and anti-inflammatory stimulation, but we found cardiac regeneration to be structurally and functionally unaffected.