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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
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Examining Muscle Regeneration in Zebrafish Models of Muscle Disease
Published on: January 18, 2021
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Muscle regeneration in the holothurian Stichopus japonicus
I Y Dolmatov1, M G Eliseikina1, T T Ginanova1
1Institute of Marine Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 17 Palchevsky Str., 690041, Vladivostok, Russia.
Summary
Sea cucumbers regenerate longitudinal muscle bands (LMBs) not from muscle cells, but from coelomic epithelial cells. These cells migrate, dedifferentiate, and form new muscle structures, revealing a novel regeneration mechanism in holothurians.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Longitudinal muscle bands (LMBs) are crucial for sea cucumber locomotion.
- Previous studies identified unique cytoskeletal proteins in LMBs.
- A specific 98 KDa protein was isolated and used to generate antibodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular mechanisms of LMB regeneration in Stichopus japonicus.
- To identify the cell types responsible for muscle band regrowth.
- To understand the role of coelomic epithelial cells in regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Light and electron microscopy.
- Immunocytochemistry using specific antibodies against a 98 KDa protein.
- Analysis of LMBs after transverse injury.
Main Results:
- No dedifferentiation or mitosis of myocytes observed during regeneration.
- Damaged myocytes degenerated, leading to muscle bundle disintegration.
- Coelomic epithelial cells invaded the LMBs, dedifferentiated, and formed new muscle structures.
Conclusions:
- New muscle bundles in sea cucumbers originate from coelomic epithelial cells.
- Cellular migration and myogenic transformation of coelomic epithelial cells are key to holothurian muscle regeneration.
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