Characterization of regeneration initiating cells during Xenopus laevis tail regeneration [scRNA-Seq]

In this experiment, we revealed the critical steps for regeneration initiation. We discovered Regeneration Initiating Cells (RICs) using single cell and spatial transcriptomics of the regenerating Xenopus laevis tail. RICs are formed transiently from the basal epidermal cells and are critical for the modification of the surrounding extracellular matrix to allow for migration of other cell types that promote regeneration. Absence or deregulation of RICs leads to excessive extracellular matrix deposition and regeneration defects. Single cell experiment was performed using 0, 1, 3, 12 hours post amputation (hpa) of Xenopus laevis tail at stage 40. Embryos were anesthetized and the regenerating part was dissected and collected. Tail pieces from 50 embryos were collected per one sample.