An African clawed frog. Credit: C-Monster

US researchers say eye regrowth in the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) could help uncover pathways to regenerative treatment of human retinal and optic nerve diseases.

Writing in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, researchers from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) reported that Notch1 (a transmembrane protein that acts as a receptor for ligand-binding, regulating cell fate, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis) signalling is required for embryonic eye regrowth in X. laevis and regulates retinal progenitor cell proliferation after injury.

The team found chemical inhibition of Notch1 signalling significantly reduced eye regrowth by lowering retinal progenitor cell proliferation without affecting retinal differentiation. Temporal inhibition studies indicated Notch function was required during the first day of regrowth, suggesting early signalling events are critical to successful repair.

Researchers said certain frog larvae can regrow their eyeballs and that they are using that model to identify the genes and mechanisms involved. Professor Kelly Tseng said the aim is to build a blueprint for eye tissue regeneration that could eventually improve human ocular therapeutics.