Translucent sponge in clear water with glowing structures representing healing process through cellular transformations.

Sponge Regeneration: Nature's Guide to Super Healing

Soraya Malik in Science & Nature December 2025 • 3 min read.

"Unlock the secrets of how sponges regenerate and what it means for regenerative medicine."

Regeneration, the ability to regrow damaged or lost body parts, has fascinated scientists and nature enthusiasts for decades. While humans have limited regenerative capabilities, certain animals possess extraordinary healing powers. Among these, sponges stand out as champions of regeneration.

Sponges (phylum Porifera) are ancient, simple multicellular organisms with remarkable regenerative and reconstitutive abilities. They can heal wounds and even rebuild an entire functional body from dissociated cells. Their diverse regeneration mechanisms make them valuable for understanding the evolution of regenerative processes.

This article explores the fascinating world of sponge regeneration, focusing on the research of the calcareous sponge Leucosolenia cf. variabilis. By combining in vivo observations with advanced imaging techniques, scientists are unraveling the cellular mechanisms that drive this remarkable healing process, potentially offering insights into regenerative medicine for humans.

How Sponges Use Epithelial Morphogenesis to Heal

Translucent sponge in clear water with glowing structures representing healing process through cellular transformations.

A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Zoology shed light on the precise mechanisms behind regeneration in Leucosolenia cf. variabilis. Researchers combined in vivo observations with histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural techniques to reveal the intricate cellular processes involved.

The study found that the regeneration process in Leucosolenia cf. variabilis concludes within 4-6 days. A crucial step is the formation of a transient regenerative membrane, which is achieved through epithelial morphogenesis—the spreading of intact exopinacoderm and choanoderm. This process is particularly interesting because:

The choanoderm spreading is accompanied by the transdifferentiation of choanocytes.
The regenerative membrane develops without any contribution from mesohyl cells.
The membrane gradually transforms into the body wall.
Cell proliferation does not play a significant role in the process.

Instead, the regeneration of Leucosolenia cf. variabilis relies on the remodeling of intact tissues through epithelial morphogenesis, accompanied by the transdifferentiation of certain differentiated cell types. This mechanism is similar to the regeneration seen in homoscleromorphs and eumetazoans, suggesting a conserved evolutionary approach.

What Sponge Healing Can Teach Us

The study highlights the significant role of epithelial morphogenesis and cell transdifferentiation in sponge regeneration. The detailed cellular description offers a basis for future research into the dynamics of cell junctions and the sponge’s cytoskeleton, further unraveling the molecular mechanisms of regeneration in calcareous sponges.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1002/jez.b.22830, Alternate LINK

Title: Sewing Up The Wounds : The Epithelial Morphogenesis As A Central Mechanism Of Calcaronean Sponge Regeneration

Subject: Developmental Biology

Journal: Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Andrey I. Lavrov, Fyodor V. Bolshakov, Daria B. Tokina, Alexander V. Ereskovsky

Published: 2018-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are sponges and what makes them unique in terms of regeneration?

Sponges, belonging to the phylum Porifera, are simple multicellular organisms known for their exceptional regenerative abilities. They can completely rebuild their body from dissociated cells or heal wounds. This capability sets them apart and makes them valuable for understanding regenerative processes.

What specific sponge is the focus of the research, and what is notable about its regenerative process?

The research focuses on the calcareous sponge *Leucosolenia cf. variabilis*. The regeneration process in this sponge is remarkable, with the entire process concluding within 4-6 days. A key step in this process is the formation of a transient regenerative membrane through epithelial morphogenesis. This is significant because it reveals how sponges efficiently repair and rebuild tissues.

What is epithelial morphogenesis, and how does it contribute to sponge regeneration?

Epithelial morphogenesis is the spreading of intact exopinacoderm and choanoderm. This process is fundamental to the regeneration of *Leucosolenia cf. variabilis*. The choanoderm spreads, accompanied by the transdifferentiation of choanocytes, forming the regenerative membrane without mesohyl cell involvement. The membrane then transforms into the body wall, highlighting the efficiency of this process.

What role does cell transdifferentiation play in the regeneration of sponges?

Cell transdifferentiation, specifically in choanocytes, is a key cellular process observed in the regeneration of *Leucosolenia cf. variabilis*. This means that specialized cells change into other cell types, contributing to the rebuilding of the sponge. This process is critical for the formation of the regenerative membrane and the subsequent body wall. Understanding cell transdifferentiation can offer insights into how cells can be reprogrammed for regenerative medicine applications in humans.

What are the implications of this research for regenerative medicine?

The study provides insights into the role of epithelial morphogenesis and cell transdifferentiation in sponge regeneration. It also offers a basis for future research into the dynamics of cell junctions and the sponge’s cytoskeleton. This understanding could lead to advancements in regenerative medicine, potentially helping humans heal and rebuild tissues in similar ways. Studying the cellular mechanisms of *Leucosolenia cf. variabilis* regeneration may provide the key to unlocking how to heal human injuries and diseases.