The role of anti-fibrotic macrophages in scar free repair and regeneration.
Nephrology
Final Report Abstract
My professional interests evolved from medicine to research as I realized that while physicians focus on disease management and prevention, researchers provide an instrumental and unlimited role in understanding disease mechanisms and therapeutics. Over the past years, I have dedicated myself to contributing to the regenerative biology field to advance the collection of human knowledge and have a direct impact on novel therapies. My recent work published in Stem Cell Reports examined the role of Natural Killer (NK) cells on regeneration in the mouse model. This work was the culmination of full-time research at the Jackson Laboratory, an internationally recognized biomedical non-profit institute, and Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL). Using a digit tip regeneration model, I discovered NK cells of differing tissue origins had diverse effects on regenerative capacity. NK cells originating from the spleen showed an ameliorating effect, restoring the morphology of the digit tip following injury. Contrary to this, NK cells originating from the thymus caused impaired digit tip regeneration. To further explore the mechanism behind these findings, I used geneticallymodified mouse models, lacking NK-cell related surface markers, to distinguish which receptor was important for this process. These findings have a significant impact on the field of regeneration by demonstrating the immune system can be harnessed to create improved outcomes. Based on my discoveries, more refined therapeutic approaches can be developed to improve regenerative capacity in humans. The role of NK cells was largely unexplored in relation to regeneration prior to this study. This seminal work addressed the importance of understanding how different immune cell populations create either a pro or antiregenerative environment. I have witnessed first-hand the impact of poor regeneration and healing in patients, and I am compelled to understand why we have limited regenerative capacity and thus offer patients hope that there might one day be successful alternatives. My research is impactful and translatable to future therapeutics, and I am excited to continue this work to better the human knowledge of regeneration and reconstruction.
