
Deer can regrow their antlers every year thanks to stem cells at their base
These transform into 'blastema' cells, which grow into bone and antler cartilage
Scientists grew antler-like stumps on mice by transplanting the blastema cells
Scientists have managed to grow antler-like structures on the foreheads of mice by transplanting stem cells from deer.
Deer antlers fall off and regrow each year – during the spring they'll increase in length at a rate of about an inch a day.
In their new study, researchers from Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi’an, China, identified the cells responsible for this regrowth.
Just 45 days after transplanting these cells onto the foreheads of hairless, laboratory mice, they began growing small stumps.
The team hopes this procedure could one day be used to help repair bones or cartilage in humans - or even grow back lost limbs.
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Just 45 days after transplanting regenerating blastema cells onto the foreheads of hairless, laboratory mice, they began growing small stumps (pictured) |
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In 2020, a different team of scientists found that they could grow stumps on the heads of mice (pictured) by inserting a piece of deer antler tissue under their forehead skin |
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ABPCs formed in the antler pedicle - outgrowths on the front of the skull - five days after deer shed their antlers. These were transplanted into the foreheads of laboratory mice |
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