Deer Antlers Hold Clues To Stem Cell Research

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Deer Antlers Hold Clues To Stem Cell Research

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=36174

New research carried out by veterinary scientists at the Royal

Veterinary College reveals that deer antler regeneration may use stem

cells and involves similar mechanisms to those used in limb

development. The research could take us towards a `holy grail' in

human medicine: the ability to restore organs damaged through trauma,

disease, cancer or excision.

Many lower animals such as newts can renew damaged parts of their

bodies but antler growth is the only example of mammals being able to

regrow large complex organs.

Deer antlers are large structures made of bone that annually grow,

die, are shed and then regenerate. Although dead tissue when used for

fighting, during growth they consist of living bone, cartilage blood

vessels and fibrous tissue covered in skin.

The research suggests that unlike the regenerative process in the

newt, antler growth does not involve reversal of the differentiated

state but is stem cell based. Antler growth appears to involve

specific stimulation of the necessary stem cells present in the

locality. If we can understand how deer have adapted the normal means

of development, cell renewal and repair to redevelop a complete

organ, it may be possible to achieve the same outcome in damaged

human tissues.

The research also shows that developmental signaling pathways are

important. 'Antler-specific' molecules may not exist and growth may

be a particular use of molecules that all mammals share. There is

similarity in the signals used to stimulate antler growth and those

used for other processes. Antler shedding is triggered by a fall in

the hormone testosterone, a hormonal change that is linked to an

increase in day length. Although the antler growth cycle, from the

shedding of the velvet skin and casting of the dead antler to

regrowth, is closely linked to testosterone, oestrogen may be a key

cellular regulator, as it is in the skeleton of other male mammals.

Identifying how hormonal and environmental cues interact with local

signalling pathways to control antler stem cell behaviour could have

an important impact on human health, if this knowledge is applied to

the engineering of new human tissues and organs.

Professor Joanna Price, who heads research on antler regeneration at

the Royal Veterinary College, said " The regeneration of antlers

remains one of the mysteries of biology but we are moving some way to

understanding the mechanisms involved. Antlers provide us with a

unique natural model that can help us understand the basic process of

regeneration although we are still a long way from being able to

apply this work to humans " .

Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many

different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system

for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to

replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is alive. Stem

cell research can help develop therapies for diseases that do not

have any treatment at the present time, and develop new approaches

towards prevention and treatment of debilitating diseases affecting

the nervous system and key organs, such as Parkinson's.

The research is released as Camilla the ageing reindeer is set to

appear in the new BBC 1 TV programme `Super Vets', a fly on the wall

series examining the work carried out by the Royal Veterinary

College, 8.30 pm on 12th January, 8.30pm.Visit:

http://supervets.rvc.ac.uk

Deer antlers: A zoological curiosity or the key to understanding

organ

regeneration in mammals? J.S. Price, S. , C. Faucheux,

T.Althnaian, J.G. Mount is published in Journal of Anatomy, 207 pp

603-618