Deer antler regeneration: cells, concepts, and controversies

Area of Science:

• Mammalian regeneration
• Developmental biology
• Stem cell biology

Background:

• Mammals typically cannot regenerate complete body appendages.
• Antler regeneration is an exceptional mammalian regenerative process.
• Previous views likened antler regeneration to urodele amphibian limb regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence for the stem-cell-based mechanism of antler regeneration.
• To propose a new concept of antler regeneration.
• To differentiate antler regeneration from urodele limb regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature and studies on antler regeneration.
• Analysis of cellular mechanisms involved in antler regrowth.
• Comparison of antler regeneration with urodele limb regeneration processes.

Main Results:

• Antler regeneration does not involve cell dedifferentiation or blastema formation.
• It is proposed to be a stem-cell-based process involving periosteal stem cells.
• This process differs fundamentally from urodele limb regeneration.

Conclusions:

• Antler regeneration is a stem-cell-based epimorphic process.
• It does not involve cell dedifferentiation or transdifferentiation.
• Mammalian appendage regeneration can occur via mechanisms distinct from those in amphibians.