Radioresistance of nerves in amphibian limb regeneration

The limbs of salamanders can regenerate even if their nerves are irradiated, provided that some other non-irradiated tissue reaches the site of amputation. This conclusion is reached by repetition of an earlier experiment, which yielded contradictory results. The experimental design does not demonstrate any radiosensitivity of nerves, but indicates that very few non-irradiated cells suffice to initiate regeneration. On the basis of this conclusion and other unconfirmed experiments, the possibility is considered that irradiated cells can recover their ability to regenerate.