Scarless repair of acute and chronic kidney injury in African Spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus)

Abstract

Solid organ fibrosis is a major burden on global health and medical care costs. Muroid rodents of the genus Acomys (African Spiny mice) are terrestrial mammals that evolved remarkable abilities to regenerate severe skin wounds without scar formation. However, whether scar-free wound repair in Acomys extends beyond skin to vital internal organs is not known. Here, we used two aggressive kidney injury models known to produce severe renal fibrosis and show that despite equivalent acute kidney injury, there was rapid restoration of nephron structure and function without fibrosis in Acomys compared to extensive fibrosis leading to renal failure in Mus musculus. These results suggest Acomys species have evolved genomic adaptations for wound healing that activate regenerative repair pathways not only in skin, but also in vital internal organs. Our findings have important implications for discovering a long-sought evolutionary solution to internal organ injury and regeneration.