Mitogenic growth factors and nerve dependence of limb regeneration.

Regeneration of the amphibian limb after amputation depends on division of blastemal cells, the progenitor cells of the regenerate. This division is controlled, at least in the early stages of regeneration, by the nerve supply to the blastema. A monoclonal antibody to newt blastema cells has provided evidence that Schwann cells and muscle fibers contribute to the blastema, and identifies blastemal cells whose division is persistently dependent on the nerve. Glial growth factor, a molecule identified by its action on rat Schwann cells, is present in the newt blastema and is lost on denervation.