A study published in Current Biology by researchers from the University of Exeter has unveiled a remarkable ability in comb jellies—self-repair through inter-individual fusion. Led by Dr. Kei Jokura from the University of Exeter, the research demonstrates how injured comb jellies can seamlessly merge with conspecifics, forming a single functional entity.
How comb jellies fuse after injury
Unlike other marine organisms that rely on individual regeneration, comb jellies lack the ability to distinguish between self and non-self tissues. This allows them to fuse their nervous and digestive systems with another comb jelly, enabling them to survive otherwise fatal injuries. The study suggests that these creatures do not trigger immune responses when integrating foreign tissues, a trait that could inspire future research in biomedical science.
Implications for regenerative medicine
The fusion ability observed in comb jellies could provide groundbreaking insights into human tissue regeneration and transplantation. Scientists believe that understanding the biochemical pathways behind this phenomenon could lead to innovations in artificial organ development and immune tolerance in graft procedures.
Original publication:
Jokura, Kei et al.: Rapid physiological integration of fused ctenophores, Current Biology, Volume 34, Issue 19, R889 – R890, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.084
