BACKGROUND:Deer antlers are the unique mammalian organs which can periodical y regenerate, and the process is known as a stem cel-based event. Exploring the underlying mechanism of deer antler regeneration and indentifying the functional role of stem cellin mammalian organ regeneration are of great importance to regenerative biology and regenerative medicine.
OBJECTIVE:To review the relevant literatures of the research progress in antler regeneration, as wel as effects of stem cells and cytokines on antler regeneration.
METHODS:A computer-based online search of PubMed (1994-01/2012-10) was performed for acquiring the articles in English by using the key words of“deer antler;antler regeneration;stem cell. In addition, manual search was also performed for those literatures that cannot be readily obtained from internet search. Articles concerning antler regeneration histology, morphology, antler stem cells and micro-environmental studies, and related cytokines. Repetitive studies or articles that are unrelated to the criteria set for the article were excluded.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 87 articles were obtained and final y 31 articles were selected. The key tissue types for antler regeneration are antlerogenic periosteum and pedicle periosteum, the cells within which are known as antler stem cells. The covering skin of antlerogenic periosteum and pedicle periosteum constitutes the functional niche for antler stem cells. Numerous cytokines are involved in the process of antler fast growing and ful regeneration, including insulin-like growth factor, sex hormones, human epidermal growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor. It is vital y important to identify the interacting molecules between the antler stem cells and their niche celltypes, and to define the role of each molecule that plays in antler regeneration, which wil greatly advance our knowledge of the stem cel-based mammalian organ regeneration.

Animals ; Antlers ; Exosomes ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Osteoarthritis/therapy*