Expression of integrins during axolotl limb regeneration

• Published in: Development, growth & differentiation Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 9 - 14
• Main Authors: Tsonis, Panagiotis A., Doane, Kathleen, Rio‐Tsonis, Katia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Pty 01.02.1997
• Subjects: Ambystoma - anatomy & histology; Ambystoma - physiology; Animals; Antigens, CD - metabolism; cell adhesion; Cell Differentiation - physiology; dedifferentiation; Extremities - anatomy & histology; Extremities - physiology; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Integrin alpha1; Integrin alpha3; Integrin alpha6; Integrin alphaV; Integrin beta1 - metabolism; Integrins - metabolism; Integrins - physiology; lens regeneration; limb regeneration; Regeneration - physiology; urodeles
• ISSN: 0012-1592; 1440-169X
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-169X.1997.00002.x

Limb regeneration in urodeles is achieved through the dedifferentiation of tissues at the amputation plane and through the production of the blastema. This tissue breakdown is possible by extensive alterations in molecules of the extracellular matrix. In this respect we describe the regulation of several integrins during such events. It was found that α1 and β1 integrins were down‐regulated as blastema formation proceeded. In contrast, the expression of α3, α6 and αv integrins were upregulated in the blastema. These data are consistent with the roles of integrins in developmental phenomena and are discussed in light of the mechanisms of dedifferentiation.