Ependymoglial cells are critical for cortex regeneration in axolotls.

ABSTRACT: Developing precise targeted cell ablation in the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is crucial for elucidating the roles or interactions of specific cell types in regeneration and modeling diseases. Here we establish a Nitroreductase (NTR)-based inducible cell ablation system in axolotls. Through generation of Sox2:Cherry-NTR knock-in axolotls, we achieve efficient ablation of ependymoglial cells (EGCs) in the central nervous system. Combined spinal cord and brain transplantation and injury models demonstrate regeneration failure upon EGC depletion, suggesting that EGCs are sole source of central nervous system regeneration. Additionally, EGC ablation in the spinal cord resulted in delayed tail regeneration. Moreover, we establish NeuroD6:Cherry-NTR and NeuroD6:Cherry-NTR2.0 knock-in lines to a

SUBMITTER: Fu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12921305 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature