Immunolocalization of FGF8/10 in the Apical Epidermal Peg and Blastema of the regenerating tail in lizard marks this apical growing area.

Previous studies have shown that Fibroblast Growth Factors are present in the regenerating tail tissues of lizards where they may stimulate the process of regeneration. The present study is focused on the immunolocalization of FGF8 and FGF10 in the regenerating lizard tail, two signaling proteins of the apical epidermal cup/ridge and mesenchymal blastema sustaining tail and limb regeneration in amphibians and the development of the tail and limbs in vertebrate embryos. Main immunoreactive protein bands at 15-18kDa for FGF8/10 are detected in the regenerating epidermis and only a band at 30 or 35kDa in the underlying connective tissues. FGF8 appears particularly localized in cells and nuclei of the apical epidermal peg and of the ependymal ampulla present at the tip of the regenerating tail. FGF10 is also immuno-localized in the apical epidermis but is particularly intensely localized in the mesenchyme of the apical blastema. In accordance with previous studies, the present observations supports the hypothesis that the apical epidermal peg and the ependymal tube with the few regenerated neurons present within it, release FGF8/10 that may contribute to maintenance of cell proliferation in the apical front of the mesenchyme for the growth of the regenerating tail.