Injury size regulates glucose allocation locally and systemically during vertebrate tissue regeneration
Tissue regeneration requires careful allocation of metabolic resources, yet how organisms adjust this allocation in response to varying amounts of tissue loss remains poorly understood. Here, we show that the regenerative metabolic response is not fixed: the size of an injury regulates how glucose is allocated at both local and organism-wide levels. We first demonstrate that tail regeneration…
Regenerating a salamander's tail requires the precise distribution of metabolic resources. While the mechanisms behind this allocation have been unclear, a new study reveals that the size of the injury directly influences how glucose is used. Researchers found that the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), a salamander known for its regenerative abilities, relies on glucose metabolism during tail regeneration.
Utilizing advanced imaging techniques, the team mapped glucose uptake in axolotls regenerating from both minor and substantial tail injuries. The results showed that glucose uptake increased in the regenerating tails compared to uninjured ones. Notably, larger injuries prompted a greater glucose uptake than smaller ones, which was associated with faster regenerative growth. Additionally, larger injuries led to elevated glucose uptake in distant organs, indicating a systemic metabolic response.
These findings highlight that metabolic responses are tailored to the size of the injury, ensuring that tissue regeneration proceeds efficiently. The study also demonstrates the utility of PET/MRI in examining whole-body metabolic dynamics in large regenerating vertebrates, offering a promising tool for future research in this field.
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