Rodents are first mammals observed regenerating tissue.
Two species of African spiny mouse have been caught at
something no other mammal is known to do — completely regenerating damaged tissue1.
The work could help improve wound healing in humans.
The species — Acomys kempi and Acomys percivali — have skin
that is brittle and easily torn, which helps them to escape predators by
jettisoning patches of their skin when caught or bitten. Researchers report
today in Nature that whereas normal laboratory mice (Mus musculus) grow scar
tissue when their skin is removed, African spiny mice can regrow complete
suites of hair follicles, skin, sweat glands, fur and even cartilage.