The Future of Regenerative Therapies | Kenro Kusumi | TEDxASUWest

Summary

The video explores the potential of regenerative medicine, drawing insights from reptiles like lizards and salamanders, which exhibit remarkable regenerative abilities. It explains the difference between biological regeneration and repair, highlighting the role of stem cells and immune responses. The script delves into how lizards regenerate body parts, such as tails, and the hope this offers for human therapies. Additionally, it discusses the challenges and possibilities of reprogramming human cells and combining genetic engineering with bioengineering to one day replace or repair vital organs, potentially extending human lifespan and improving quality of life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Biological regeneration is the regrowth of body parts or organs, restoring their functionality, and involves multiple cell types like nerves, muscles, and skin.
• 😀 Regeneration is different from repair, which only involves a few cell types and may lead to scarring, whereas regeneration replaces the lost part entirely.
• 😀 Salamanders and other vertebrates such as fish can regenerate body parts perfectly or nearly perfectly, especially when they are younger.
• 😀 Reptiles like lizards and alligators show non-identical regeneration, meaning the regenerated part is not exactly the same but still serves its function.
• 😀 Mammals, including humans, have limited regenerative abilities, but studying other vertebrates offers hope for activating regeneration in humans.
• 😀 Lizards can regrow their tails, but the regenerated tail differs from the original, made of cartilage instead of bone and muscle.
• 😀 The lizard tail regeneration process involves specific genes, including those linked to stem cells and the immune system, which play a key role in regeneration.
• 😀 Early immune responses post-injury, including inflammation, can determine whether scar tissue forms or if regeneration is activated.
• 😀 Mammals' muscle-making stem cells (satellite cells) are limited in their regenerative capabilities compared to lizards, which can also generate cartilage.
• 😀 Genetic engineering and bioengineering technologies are needed to reprogram mammalian cells to regenerate both muscle and cartilage, as well as to create larger regenerative structures through 3D printing.
• 😀 The potential for regenerative medicine is immense, with applications ranging from organ regeneration to treating conditions like arthritis and extending human lifespans by repairing damaged tissues.

Q & A

What is biological regeneration?

Biological regeneration is the regrowth of a body part or organ that restores its functionality, involving a complex structure with multiple cell types such as nerves, muscles, blood vessels, and skin.

How does biological regeneration differ from repair?

Regeneration involves replacing the lost part with a functional structure, whereas repair typically results in scarring and involves only one or two cell types without fully restoring the original functionality.

How common is regeneration in vertebrates?

Regeneration is relatively common in vertebrates, particularly in amniotes like salamanders and fish, which can regenerate body parts identically. Other vertebrates, such as frogs and reptiles, exhibit non-identical regeneration.

What is the regenerative ability of reptiles like lizards and alligators?

Reptiles like lizards and alligators can regenerate body parts, but the regenerated structures are not identical to the original. For example, lizards can regrow their tails, but the new tail differs structurally from the original.

How does the immune system play a role in regeneration?

The immune system is critical in determining whether regeneration or scarring occurs. Early immune responses after injury influence whether the body follows the regenerative pathway or enters fibrosis, leading to scar formation.

What specific genes are involved in the regeneration process in lizards?

Genes related to stem cells and the immune system play key roles in regeneration. Stem cells contribute to tissue formation, while immune-related genes influence the early stages of regeneration, particularly at the tips of regenerating body parts.

Why is it difficult for humans to regenerate body parts like lizards?

Humans lack the natural regenerative capabilities found in animals like lizards. While certain stem cells in humans can generate muscle, they are not primed to form cartilage or other tissues that are required for complete regeneration.

How can genetic engineering help improve human regenerative abilities?

Genetic engineering can reprogram human stem cells to express different genes, potentially allowing them to regenerate tissues like cartilage or muscle. This reprogramming opens up possibilities for enhancing regenerative abilities in humans.

What role does bioengineering play in regenerative medicine?

Bioengineering, particularly through the use of 3D printing, can help create complex structures like limbs or organs that are too large for natural regeneration. By combining bioengineering with genetic reprogramming, scientists aim to produce functional body parts for humans.

What are the potential benefits of regenerative therapies for humans?

Regenerative therapies could significantly improve the treatment of damaged or failing organs, extend lifespans, and address conditions like arthritis by regenerating tissues such as cartilage. This could greatly reduce suffering and improve quality of life for many people.