Evaluating spiny mice (Acomys) as a model for cardiac research

Abstract

Complex tissue regeneration is extremely rare among adult mammals. An exception, however, is the superior tissue healing of multiple organs in spiny mice (Acomys). While Acomys species exhibit the remarkable ability to heal complex tissue with minimal scarring, little is known about their cardiac structure and response to cardiac injury. In this study, we first examined baseline Acomys cardiac anatomy and function in comparison with the commonly used laboratory Mus strains (C57BL6 and SWR). Our results demonstrated comparable cardiac anatomy and function between Acomys and Mus, but Acomys exhibited a higher percentage of cardiomyocytes exhibiting immature characteristics. In response to myocardial infarction, all animals experienced a comparable level of initial cardiac damage. However, Acomys demonstrated superior ischemic tolerance and cytoprotection in response to injury as evidenced by cardiac functional stabilization, higher survival rate and smaller scar size 50 days after injury compared to the inbred and outbred mouse strains. Overall, these findings demonstrate augmented myocardial preservation in spiny mice post-MI and establish Acomys as a new adult mammalian model for cardiac research.