Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibition on the regenerating axolotl tail

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling plays a crucial role in regulating angiogenesis, but its effect in regenerating salamander appendages has not been examined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vatalanib, a small molecule inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, on tail regeneration in Ambystoma mexicanum. Following partial tail amputation, juvenile axolotls were exposed to either 100nM vatalanib, 500nM vatalanib, or the equivalent volume of dimethyl sulfoxide as a vehicle control. Treatment was continued and animals imaged weekly until the tail had fully regenerated in the control animals. Both dosages of vatalanib inhibited regenerative angiogenesis but had little effect on regenerative outgrowth of the tail. We conclude that in this system, significant tissue regrowth is possible in the absence of vasculature.