Table 4. Number of limbs in which growth factors and limb tissue extract induced partial or extensive regeneration across 50% defects in the axolotl fibula at three months post-operation.
Partial Regeneration | Extensive Regeneration | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Seven Factors | 1/20 | 0/20 | 1/20 | (5%) |
BMP-4/VEGF | 2/20 | 0/20 | 2/20 | (10%) |
BMP-4/HGF | 2/20 | 4/20 | 6/20 | (30%) |
Limb Tissue Extract | 2/18 | 4/18 | 6/18 | (33.3%) |
Other GF combinations | 0/20 | 0/20 | 0/20 | (0.0%) |
Control (scaffold alone) | 0/16 | 0/16 | 0/16 | (0.0%) |
Growth factor combinations and blastema extract were tested on a total of 20 limbs each (both hindlimbs of 10 animals), and tissue extract on a total of 18 limbs (both hindlimbs of 10 animals; one animal died). Partial regeneration means that a small amount of cartilage/bone regenerated from one or both cut ends of the fibula. Extensive regeneration means that skeletal regeneration spanned more than 50% of the defect.