Once again, mice proved to be the cutting edge in enabling regeneration in mammals.
Laboratory mice would be the first to regrow spinal cord tissues.
The report came from scientists – no, not the British scientists, – US group of scientists from Irvine, San Diego and Harvard Universities. They are studying PTEN – an enzyme, which suppresses tissue growth.
In children, PTEN activity is low, but as we grow up, the genes activates and blocks the cells from dividing.
That prevents human body parts from regeneration. Mutation of PTEN gene leads to development of most cancer forms.
So, on one hand, fixing PTEN in cancer cells could help stop tumor growth.
On the other hand, blocking PTEN in damaged normal tissue could re-enable cell regeneration. This could lead to complete recovery, including currently incurable conditions like spinal cord trauma and related paralysis.
The obvious test subjects are mice. Little creatures could help a lot of people to get default.