Regeneration articles from across Nature Portfolio

Oxidative phosphorylation was considered detrimental for heart regeneration, as it produces reactive oxygen species that block cardiomyocyte proliferation by causing DNA damage. However, harnessing natural variation in the regenerative capacity of seven wild-type zebrafish strains has revealed that the activation of oxidative metabolism after proliferation is essential for cardiomyocyte maturation and successful regeneration.

Morris discusses how single-cell genomics and computational tools expose failure points in reprogramming and guide protocols that improve the fidelity, maturity and purity of engineered cells, advancing their use in regenerative medicine and disease modelling.

WNT-signaling activation is a promising strategy for adult tissue and organ rejuvenation. The authors report an efficient approach to generate exosomes carrying WNTs and RSPONDINs family ligands that can achieve strong activation of the pathway to regenerate diseased and aged livers.

Pronobis et al. show that Ddx61 localizes to P-bodies and regulates heart muscle proliferation during cardiac regeneration in zebrafish. Ddx61 is required is required to restrain expression of Chordin, a secreted BMP inhibitor that impedes regeneration if present at high levels.

Lekkos et al. show that a metabolic switch toward oxidative phosphorylation is required for cardiomyocyte re-differentiation and heart regeneration after injury in fish.

Oxidative phosphorylation was considered detrimental for heart regeneration, as it produces reactive oxygen species that block cardiomyocyte proliferation by causing DNA damage. However, harnessing natural variation in the regenerative capacity of seven wild-type zebrafish strains has revealed that the activation of oxidative metabolism after proliferation is essential for cardiomyocyte maturation and successful regeneration.

Engineered multilayered tissues are showing great promise in the clinic, and could also provide more-accurate models for studying skin disease.

The molecular feedback loops that program positional identity as salamander limbs develop and regrow could be harnessed for regenerative medicine.

Transplanting dopamine-releasing neurons into the brain is a promising regenerative therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Two clinical trials show that it is safe, but more evidence is needed to prove its effectiveness.