Learn the mechanism of self-regenerating bone right in the body

Experts say that the ribs can regenerate themselves in the hope of regenerating whole bones in the human body.

Although we do not have rebirth powers in the blink of an eye like a superhero, recent research has shown that our bodies are able to reproduce themselves in a small part, opening new hopes for whole bone regeneration in the human body.

This conclusion comes after stem cell researchers found the ability to re-grow part of their ribs in mice. Accordingly, the removed ribs can regrow themselves within a few months.

Using CT images, the USC stem cell team monitored the " revival" of a human ribs that had previously been removed. The ribs are missing 8cm and 1cm of the cartilage has grown again after 6 months.

To better understand this process, experts removed 3 - 5 mm of rib cartilage in mammals such as mice. When removing two rib cartilage and removing thin tissue around cartilage - perichondrium , experts predict that it will take about 9 months to recreate these parts.

However, when eliminating the left side cartilage but leaving perichondrium , experts found, this part will be completely repaired within 1-2 months.

The researchers also found that perichondrium is capable of producing cartilage even when separated from the ribs or placed in other nearby tissues. This suggests that perichondrium contains stem cells and can regenerate itself .

Researcher Francesca Mariani said: "We believe that the development of this model in mice plays an important role in studying bone repair and repair in humans.

Through these first studies, we hope to be able to develop and better understand the function of perichondrium surrounding the ribs, which in turn can open up opportunities to regenerate many other bones in the body. Our ambition is to study to regenerate all other bones in the human body. "

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