How can axolotls regenerate entire limbs?

The answer

Axolotls possess the most comprehensive regenerative ability of any vertebrate, capable of regrowing entire limbs, their spinal cord, heart tissue, jaw, and even portions of their brain with full functionality and no scar formation. When a limb is amputated, a mass of dedifferentiated cells called a blastema forms at the wound site, containing cells that 'remember' their positional identity and reconstruct the limb's exact structure. Unlike mammals, axolotls can reactivate developmental genes and reprogram mature cells back to a stem-cell-like state. Researchers have identified key molecular signals including the protein nAG and the transcription factor p53 that orchestrate this process, offering potential pathways for enhancing human tissue regeneration.